He said:"I find Tottenham's action totally unacceptable. "What they have done is disgraceful, especially as we thought they might send the player out on-loan and asked them to let us keep him until the end of the season.
"Obviously there's nothing we can do about this but a change in the rules is necessary. What other business would allow one of your assets to end up with a competitor under these circumstances?"
Football League spokesman John Nagle said: "Although there is nothing in the rules to prevent such a scenario. "Situations like this can be covered by the terms of a transfer. But Coventry City are free to try and amend the rules and any proposal would be considered at our AGM next summer."