Club adamant HMRC debt has been paid

HEARTS confirmed yesterday that they have settled a tax debt after being threatened with administration by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Papers were lodged at the Court of Session on 29 July by the Advocate General for Scotland on behalf of HMRC.

The Notice of Petition for Administration Order, which was issued against Heart of Midlothian plc under the Insolvency Act 1986, is available on the Companies House website.

It is understood no court date was set for a hearing into the matter and the club's payment should prevent further action.

A Hearts spokesperson confirmed the payment was made yesterday.

The club were threatened with similar action from HMRC two years ago.

A petition for "wind-up" action was lodged against the Edinburgh club in July 2009, which Hearts claimed came as a surprise as they had a payment schedule in place with HMRC. The club vowed to meet the debt in full.

Hearts announced a return to profitability for the first time in 11 years in their financial results earlier this year.

The Edinburgh club posted a profit of 39,000 in the year to July 31, 2010.