Romanov’s Bosnian staff wait for pay

Workers at a metal factory in Bosnia, owned by the tycoon, have not been paid since July.

Union leaders representing 1000 staff at the Birac plant in Zvornik have held crisis talks with officials over the late wages.

Birac is said to be the jewel in the crown of Romanov’s empire and its financial health is understood to be closely linked to his commitment to Tynecastle.

Hearts were due to appear before the SPL today over unpaid wages for six players and manager John McGlynn. The club has already had a transfer ban imposed as a result of its failure to pay its September wages on time.

Union president Dragan Kostadinovic said the situation in the Bosnian factory was “alarming”. The factory’s director general Virginijus Vajega has blamed the world economic crisis for the problem.

Vytas Plunksnis, an expert on Romanov’s business empire, said: “The worst case scenario is the financial crisis affects his projects so he is  unable to finance Hearts.”