Birmingham City boss Chris Hughton managed to rush through a deal for son Cian Hughton before the club was hit by their transfer embargo.
The Blues were punished for not filing their 2010-11 accounts on time.
Hughton knew it was coming and signed son Cian Hughton, plus Caleb Folan, who were both free agents, and QPR's Peter Ramage on loan.
He said: "It's always difficult when he's your own son because you don't want people thinking about favouritism."