Birmingham will attempt to block Aston Villa's bid to interview Alex McLeish for their vacant manager's post after accusing their local rivals of tapping up the Scot.
Blues will lodge a formal complaint with the football authorities about Villa's plans to speak to McLeish, who resigned from his position at St Andrew's on Sunday.
Villa believe McLeish is a "free agent" and they are therefore entitled to speak to the ex-Scotland and Rangers boss who quit after three-and-a-half years at City.
But Birmingham are seeking #5.4 million in compensation from Villa to cover the remaining two years of McLeish's contract and have put the matter in the hands of their lawyers.
City, in a media statement said: "Birmingham City find Aston Villa's announcement to proceed with an interview with Alex McLeish a contempt of Premier League and FA rules.
"The club feel this will taint football and give the game and the footballing authorities a bad name if this is allowed to materialise.
"The club will do what is within its powers to prevent this and will lodge a formal complaint to the authorities on Wednesday as there is now not the slightest doubt remaining about this tap up attempt.
"Birmingham City stresses that this conduct, if condoned, will open up flood gates and set a very bad precedent."
Blues also believe their stance has the backing of Villa fans, some sections of whom have made it clear they are against McLeish's possible appointment.
The statement adds: "This is also an attack against the intelligence and integrity of not only the Villa fans, but most importantly our fans who are badly let down after having just been relegated.
"It is definitely a bitter pill to swallow for all fans concerned, both here and across the city.
"Never have the two clubs seen such a strong unity between their rival fans and this unity is based on humility and integrity and what is right and fair."
Blues also attacked a statement from the League Managers' Association which criticised the sacking of Birmingham chief scout Paul Montgomery and said McLeish was not "properly consulted" over transfers.
Birmingham's statement continued: "The LMA's announcement is refuted as the club has a very rigid approval system where only players formally identified, and with approval forms signed and sanctioned by the manager personally, are brought in.
"The chief scout was sacked only after Mr McLeish was informed who at that time had chosen not to comment.
"The allegations against the club, president Carson Yeung and the board are frivolous excuses and without foundation."
Villa had revealed their intention to interview Alex McLeish "imminently" via their own statement.
They also insist the "high emotions" surrounding the possible appointment of McLeish because of his spell at City will not deter them if they feel he is the right candidate.
Villa's statement read: "The club understands that Alex McLeish is a free agent.
"We therefore intend to interview him imminently in order to make a decision regarding his candidacy to become Villa manager.
"From the beginning of our search, we have set out criteria based on proven Premier League experience, compelling leadership, an ethic for hard work and, most importantly, sharing our vision for Aston Villa.
"We know that without a shared vision any appointment, however attractive, will ultimately fail."
Villa are also sensitive to the emotions being created over approaching McLeish amongst their own fans but will not deter from appointing him if they feel he is the right man.
The statement added: "We would like to emphasise that, in deciding to interview Alex McLeish, the board has taken his tenure at our local rivals and the strong emotions associated with this very seriously.
"We are determined, still, not to allow that three-and-a-half year post to disqualify him should he be the best candidate for the role of Aston Villa manager."
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