Zaliukas hints at quitting Hearts after red card appeal fails

Published on Wednesday 31 December 2008 14:52

HEARTS defender Marius Zaliukas is considering quitting Scottish football after failing to get his red card against Aberdeen overturned.

The Lithuania international yesterday saw the appeal against his dismissal in Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League defeat at Pittodrie rejected by the Scottish Football Association.

Zaliukas, 25, was given his marching orders by referee Iain Brines for a headbutt on Dons match-winner Lee Miller but Hearts were convinced television footage would clear the player, who they believe was more sinned against than sinning.

Brines reviewed the incident yesterday but decided to stand by his original call, condemning Zaliukas to a three-match ban.

Zaliukas was today still trying to come to terms with the outcome, which rules him out of Saturday's Edinburgh derby and two further games.

"The club was very supportive of me, which I'm grateful for, and we were all confident justice would be done," he told Hearts News Today.

"I did nothing wrong. Okay, I made a mistake when I got my yellow card in the game and I admit that. Looking back, it happened in the heat of the moment but was something I shouldn't have done.

"But I still maintain I didn't deserve the red card. I know referees have a difficult job but the whole world could see I did nothing wrong."

Zaliukas, who has been linked with a 2million move to the Russian league when the transfer window opens tomorrow, added: "I like football here but I am now disillusioned with the game.

"I enjoy Scottish football but now I'm thinking I would rather leave if this sort of thing is going to happen.

"I like Hearts and the fans and want to do well for the team but what chance do players have when this sort of thing happens?"

The Hearts defender claims he has even had support from rival SPL players in the aftermath of the Pittodrie clash.

"I have spoken to players from other clubs since the incident and they were all surprised it was a red card having seen it on television," he said.