Giovanni di Stefano says he will pump millions into Dundee

The Scottish Football Association's general purposes committee will in November consider the club's application to have Di Stefano as a director.

And Scotland on Sunday predicted that the SFA would deem him an unsuitable person to be in such a position - an action that could destabilise a club that flirted with liquidation before his recent arrival.

But Di Stefano has vowed to take legal action against the newspaper for defamation - and to remain at Dens Park.

"If there is anyone who believes the best interests of Dundee Football Club and Scottish football would be served by my resignation as a director then take me to court and prove it," Di Stefano said in a statement.

I have 357 million reasons why I cannot be threatened, blackmailed, blackballed, coerced into leaving Dundee FC Giovanni di Stefano

"Prove that I am not 100% committed to Dundee. Prove that I have not already invested considerable sums and had substantial bank guarantees accepted.

"Prove that I have not given a commitment to stay here for the long term. Prove that I am not a fit and proper person and prove that my interest in this club is not utterly simple and benign.

"I am here to put money into Dundee, not take it out. I want to see the team which my son loves succeed, nothing else. If you haven't got the guts to take me on in court then buy me out."

Di Stefano's son, Michele, began supporting Dundee while at the elite private school, Gordonstoun.

The father attempted to buy into the Scottish Premier League club four years ago but was turned down amid concerns about his associations.

Di Stefano's professional clients have included the late Serbian warlord, General Zeljko Raznatovic, known as Arcan, and mass murderer Dr Harold Shipman.

His vow to plough �26m into the football club so they can challenge Celtic and Rangers has been greeted with much scepticism and speculation about how such a sum might have been accumulated.

"I am aware that my vision and behaviour as a director of a football club may not go with the tradition," Di Stefano added.

"I am not a man who follows precedent but makes precedent and have proved so in my professional life.

"At the end of the day, I have 357 million reasons why I cannot be threatened, blackmailed, blackballed, coerced into leaving Dundee FC."

Di Stefano has already brought former Scotland international Craig Burley and former Italian star Fabrizio Ravanelli to Dundee.