Derby County's Curtis Davies has branded the Football League (EFL) as "laughable" after the organisation said it would help the club plot a route out of its current situation.
The Championship side have been in administration since last September. They have also had numerous run-ins with the EFL, resulting in a lengthy court wrangle that resulted in a nine-point penalty being handed down earlier this season due to a breach of accounting policies.
Combined with the automatic 12-point penalty that is imposed on any club entering administration, it has left Derby facing an uphill battle to preserve their second tier status.
Add in a transfer embargo and a squad that is down to the bare bones and it is remarkable that Wayne Rooney's side are even talking up the possibility of a great escape.
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Last weekend saw them beat Sheffield United to move off the bottom of the table and to within eight points of safety.
Veteran centre-half Davies, in his fifth season at Pride Park, has now hit out at the league following EFL chief executive Trevor Birch's lengthy statement, released on Monday night.
Taking the form of a question-and-answer document, Birch has sought to set the record straight with regards the relations between the EFL and the Rams.
In the statement he insisted: "Suggestions the EFL want Derby County relegated or expelled are completely fabricated and entirely false....
"The EFL has no vendetta against any of its member clubs."
The statement added that: "The EFL is taking proactive steps to work with the Administrators to find sensible solutions that will see the club secure a long-term future and meet the requirements as set out in EFL Regulations and the League’s Insolvency Policy."
But speaking on talkSPORT, Davies hit back at the statement.
The 36-year-old, who is one of only three players in the Championship to have played every single minute of the season so far, said: "We know that there are potential buyers for the club. We've been told so.
"But the issue is everything else that's hanging over us, obviously the other clubs making claims against us and stuff like that.
"It's obviously difficult to get these things over the line. For us, we just prepare as best we can to go on the pitch. Hopefully the administrators manage to sort out a deal to get the club bought and then we can crack on and re-build the club.
"I think the EFL have come out today and said they're going to help Derby in every way. I think that's laughable.
"Hopefully though, they'll keep to their word and they'll try and help us get over the line with the takeover."
Administrators Quantuma are understood to be in talks with three potential buyers, but have been unable to name a preferred bidder due to the threat of legal action against Derby by two other clubs.
Middlesbrough and Wycombe are seeking compensation for loss of earnings in relation to Derby’s financial breaches and potential new owners are reluctant to commit themselves to further liabilities.
