West Cumbrian speedway ace Craig Cook's move to Premier League side Peterborough has fallen through.
Cook, of Cleator Moor, was announced as one of two new arrivals for the club this week, with Panthers No8 Tom Stokes also due to be promoted to a reserve berth.
Danish duo Nicklas Porsing and Michael Palm Toft were due to be released to make way for the deal, but the British Speedway Promoters' Association has blocked the move.
An online petition urging the BSPA to allow Great Britain star Cook to rejoin the league attracted more than 700 signatures in a few hours.
Responding to criticism of the decision, BSPA vice-chairman Rob Godfrey said he had advised Panthers boss Ged Rathbone the signing was unlikely to be approved as the side races on the same night as Cook's Elite League club, Belle Vue.
He added: "This is not a vendetta against Peterborough and not a vendetta against Craig.
"Craig is more than welcome to ride in the Premier League, but not for a Friday night track and if we allowed it to happen now, everyone would be trying the same thing."
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