Hearts Football Club News

• Nickname:The Hearts/ Jam tarts
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Stephen Frail

• Ground:Tynecastle
• Capacity:18,000

Angry Hearts want changes

31 Dec 2008 - 08:15:12

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Hearts have hit out at the Scottish Football Association and called for an overhaul of their disciplinary procedure after failing to overturn a red card shown to Marius Zaliukas.

The Lithuanian defender was sent off in last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Aberdeen after referee Iain Brines ruled he had struck Dons match-winner Lee Miller.

The Edinburgh club reviewed the video evidence and launched an appeal, but the referee also looked at the footage on Tuesday and claimed he was happy with his original decision.

"We don't believe in an appeal system that dictates that the appeal decision should be left solely with the referee, as is the case at present. We understand that this is also a view shared by some other clubs," said a club spokesperson.

"We are hugely supportive of the job that referees have to do, often in difficult circumstances.

"However, in our opinion, a mistake has been made and it is important that when mistakes are made they are acknowledged and we can all move on.

"That is why we are extremely disappointed that Mr Brines will not find it in himself to acknowledge a mistake that the TV cameras prove to be the case."