Hearts footballer in dispute over luxury car leases

A CIVIL action against Hearts' former French striker, Christian Nade, for defaulting on a lease agreement with finance company, Lombard North Central, for two cars has been continued yet again.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today solicitor Andrew Foyle, acting for the finance company, asked Sheriff James Scott to grant decree for the return of the vehicles or for the money due. The case first called in March.

Neil Stewart, appearing for Nade's principal agents, requested a continuation of the case. The footballer's solicitors, he said, were carrying out inquiries into a suspected fraud, involving one of the cars, which could have a bearing on the matter.

"Unfortunately, Mr Nade is required to provide a mandate for the DVLA and at this time is out of the country".

One of the cars, he understood, was with the London Motor Museum, who had some form of agreement with Mr Nade to discharge his liability to Lombard for that vehicle.

Mr Foyle commented: "Any agreement between Mr Nade and a third party is a matter for Mr Nade and the third party. My client's contract is with Mr Nade". He added that one of the vehicles was in Spain.

Sheriff Scott continued the case for a week and requested that someone from Nade's principal solicitors attend to explain why there should be further delay in the matter.

Twenty-five year old Nade, who signed for Hearts in 2007, was not present in court.

There have been reports that the vehicles concerned are a Lamborghini and a Cadillac, but no-one was prepared to confirm this or to say how much Nade owed Lombard.