Source: FOOTYMAD
Nobody Is Above The Law
Hearts have had to backtrack over punishment meted out to three of the players last year. Hearts have decided not to force the payment of fines imposed on the three players involved in the post-game behaviour during December's game at New Douglas Park. An administrative mistake prevented the club imposing the scale of the fines on the players and new manager Jim Jeffries has decided the draw a line under the unfortunate situation and start afresh. Ian Black, Suso Santana and Eggert Jonsson were all reported by referee David Somers following the club's 2-1 league defeat at Hamilton. After the game, TV cameras caught some of the action from a brawl in the tunnel as the players left the pitch. Midfielders Black and Santana were fined two weeks' wages after being shown the equivalent of red cards, while defender Jonsson was docked one week's pay for being yellow carded. The game was not pleasant as Accies striker Leon Knight, Jambos masseur Alan Robson, defender Ismael Bouzid and captain Michael Stewart were all red carded, although the latter had his reduced to yellow on appeal. It appears ex-manager Csaba Laszlo failed to adhere to SPL rules when it comes to internal discipline, forcing the club to scrap the fines rather than lose an appeal made by the players on a technicality. The decision reportedly saved Santana and Black around £4,000 each and Jonsson £3,000. Jefferies spoke ahead of today's game against Hamilton, which they won 2-0, of his desire to establish a stricter code of conduct at Tynecastle. Jefferies insisted it was his decision not to allow Santana, Black and Jonsson's cases to go to appeal in a bid to wipe the slate clean before tough new disciplinary measures kick in. He said: "I came into the club in the middle of the situation, and decided with support from the club that we should draw a line under what happened and start afresh. While it's a clean slate for everyone, I've told the players that anything in the future will of course be dealt with." PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart said: "Through our efforts, players are becoming more aware that they have the same rights as any employee under employment law. PFA Scotland will continue to ensure that our members are given their entitlement to due process, confidentiality and appeal if required. Clubs cannot simply impose discipline upon players without adhering to the law." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
