Hearts to fight SPL wages charge

18 January 2012 09:16

Hearts have vowed to fight a charge of 'failing to behave with the utmost good faith' over the alleged delayed payment of player wages which has been issued by the Scottish Premier League.

Disciplinary proceedings and the prospect of unlimited sanctions have been opened by the SPL, who determined January's wages, due on Monday, did not arrive on time. Hearts refute the claim.

Following a meeting of the SPL's board of directors, a statement was issued, charging the Edinburgh club, with a hearing to be scheduled in due course. Hearts on Tuesday night issued a short response and are determined to contest the charge.

A Hearts spokesperson said on the club's official website, www.heartsfc.co.uk: "The club has noted the decision of the SPL this evening and will defend its position at the appropriate time.

"The club will make no further comment on the matter."

Earlier, following the SPL's claim that the players' salaries were delivered after the midnight deadline, Hearts insisted they had "documentary evidence" to prove payment had been made on schedule for the first time since September.

The charge was issued following a meeting of the SPL board of directors - presently comprised of SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster, SPL chairman Ralph Topping, plus Stephen Thompson of Dundee United, Eric Riley of Celtic, Derek Weir of Motherwell and Steve Brown of St Johnstone.

An SPL statement issued after the meeting read: "The Scottish Premier League Board met this evening to consider the alleged failure by Heart of Midlothian FC to comply with the terms of the order made by the SPL on January 4, 2012 that the club pay the January wages due to the relevant players on the due date of January 16, 2012.

"As a result, Heart of Midlothian FC are being charged under SPL Rule A3.1 with failing to behave with the utmost good faith to the SPL.

"A hearing date will be notified to the club in due course."

Source: PA