Hearts face signing restrictions until end of season

[ian1964 10,563]

Hearts will be subject to restrictions in registering players until the summer after being found in breach of Scottish Premier League rules.

 

The club are currently banned from signing players, punishment for late payments to staff.

 

The embargo will continue until the SPL are satisfied the "remuneration default" is no longer ongoing.

 

However, if the ban is lifted Hearts will only be able to sign under-21 players until the end of the season.

Hearts players

 

Hearts are ninth in the SPL after 20 matches so far this season

 

Other restrictions would include only being able to sign replacements for players who had departed and such replacements representing a lower "annualised employment cost" than the corresponding departing players.

 

The SPL board sub-committee that considered the charges comprised chief executive Neil Doncaster, secretary Iain Blair and Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston.

 

And Hearts, who had legal representation at the hearing, have seven days to lodge an appeal.

 

An SPL statement read: "The decision of the sub-committee today was that the club should be made subject to further restrictions on the registration of players.

 

"As a result, if and when the club satisfies the SPL board that the remuneration default is no longer ongoing, the club will (until the end of the 2012-2013 season) only be able to register players on the following basis:

 

One out, one in (i.e. the club will only be able to replace such number of players as have their registrations with the club terminated - whether by sale, mutual agreement or otherwise)

Only under-21 players (as defined in the SPL rules) will be able to be registered

Any new under-21 player registered must have an annualised employment cost lower than that of the player leaving the club."

 

The club were initially placed under a 60-day transfer embargo in October for failing to pay their players and some staff their monthly wages on time for two consecutive months.

 

And the ban was extended earlier this month due to the remuneration default regarding bonus and appearance monies.

 

The Tynecastle outfit vowed to challenge the extension, indicating that there was no written due date for payment of bonuses.

 

Speaking after Monday's hearing at Hampden, Hearts stated: "The club is currently consulting with its lawyers with a view to considering its available options and will make a fuller statement in due course."

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20877263

[ian1964 10,563]

Hearts call in the lawyers after being hit with fresh sanctions by the SFA

1 Jan 2013 00:01

 

THE Tynecastle club have threatened to resort to the courts after being told new restrictions have been placed on their ability to sign players in the transfer window.

 

 

 

HEARTS were threatening to go to war with the SPL last night after being hammered again for failing to pay

their players.

 

The crisis-ravaged Gorgie club – who have already been smacked with an on-going transfer ban – were hauled back over the coals at Hampden yesterday.

 

They were found guilty of breaking two further top-flight rules relating to the non-payment of bonuses and appearance cash.

 

And now they have been told that even if their ban is lifted before the end of this month manager John McGlynn will not be free to bring in reinforcements.

 

Instead, strict new laws have been laid down which mean Hearts will only be allowed to sign players under 21 – and even then only on a “one-out-one-in” basis to ensure that McGlynn’s squad stays the same size.

 

The SPL have demanded that the wages offered to any new signing are lower than those of the player he has been brought in to replace.

 

Hearts chief executive David Southern attended the Hampden meeting yesterday before dashing back across the M8 for further crisis talks with the club’s board.

 

And a statement was rushed out which hinted at some form of legal action.

 

Hearts spokesperson said: “The club is consulting with its lawyers with a view to considering its available options and will make a fuller statement in due course.”

 

Earlier the SPL had released its own statement setting out the latest raft of punitive measures.

 

It said: “A sub-committee of the SPL Board convened at Hampden to consider two charges against Hearts (‘the club’) – for failure to pay bonuses and appearance monies owing to players and coaching staff and for the failure to inform the SPL in a timely manner.

 

“The sub-committee found the club guilty of breaching SPL Rules A6.21 and A6.22.

 

“The club remains subject to the existing registration embargo, which will continue until such time as the SPL Board is satisfied that the Remuneration Default is no longer ongoing.

 

“However, the decision of the sub-committee was that the club should be made subject to further restrictions on player registration.

 

“The club will (until the end of the 2012/2013 season) only be able to register players on the basis of:

 

“One out, one in (the club can only replace players that have their registrations with the club terminated - whether by sale or mutual agreement)

 

“Only Under-21 players (as defined in the SPL Rules) will be able to be registered and any new under-21 player registered must have an annual wage lower than that of the player leaving.”

 

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hearts-hit-with-fresh-sanctions-for-failing-1512955