Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed that manager Gus Poyet failed to attend his own disciplinary hearing on Monday due to "disputed legal reasons".
The Uruguayan was suspended by the Championship club last month following their playoff semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace.
"Following the completion of a detailed internal investigation, Gus Poyet's disciplinary hearing commenced this morning," read a statement on Brighton's official website.
"However, Gus Poyet elected not to attend for disputed legal reasons. The club's disciplinary panel chose to adjourn the meeting to later this week to provide Mr Poyet with a final opportunity to attend."
Poyet took charge of a club for the first time when he joined Brighton in 2009.