Fans groups dismiss discrimination claim

LEADING Hearts supporters reacted angrily last night to accusations of discrimination against Lithuanians by the club interpreter Alex Kozlovski. When first responding to questions about the booing of Saulius Mikoliunas and Nerijus Barasa, Kozlovski, whose official title is sport director, offered a straightforward answer.

"Mikoliunas maybe [was booed] because to come out as a substitute is always not very easy," he said. "But Barasa, I'm surprised, because I think it's a little bit discrimination.

"Barasa played very well. It's because he is Lithuanian that people shout at him."

Kozlovski backed down somewhat when asked to clarify what he meant. "I'm not accusing anything," he said. "I'm saying it looked like [discrimination] if you blame players because they are in favour, because they are Lithuanians."

Even that more oblique suggestion, however, was not enough to divert attention from the initial remarks of an individual fast becoming one of the most disliked people at Tynecastle. Iain Macleod, a supporter who was prominent in the Save our Hearts campaign of two years ago, said he did not think discrimination or racism was behind the booing of certain players.

"I don't think that's the case" Macleod said. "[Andrius] Velicka, who was playing up front, is Lithuanian and he was warmly received.

"There are issues with Mikoliunas because he's not been playing well and seems to be a first pick. I don't know what the problem is with Barasa, but I don't think there's a problem with their nationality at all.

"Kozlovski comes out with non-comments. He doesn't actually enlighten us about what goes on at the club. I just think he's up there as a bit of a dummy."

Martin Laidlaw, the chairman of the Hearts Supporters' Trust, was equally dismissive. "Alex Kozlovski says that players are being booed simply because they are Lithuanian and that is outrageous. It is simply because better players are being left on the bench week in week out. I don't condone booing of players, but you have to acknowledge that people are frustrated by what is happening. Look at Velicka or Marius Zaliukas, you don't hear them being booed. It's simply that we have got better players available."

The chairman of the Hearts Supporters Trust was another to be irked by Koslovski's remarks. Derek Watson, of the Hearts Trust, said: "They can't accuse anybody of racism - that couldn't be further from the truth.

"I didn't see any point to the demonstration, but the vast majority of the fans don't have a problem with the Lithuanian players. Supporters are unhappy with the team selection policy and we want answers.

"Two or three players were criticised yesterday, but that's because they weren't playing well. Who doesn't criticise players sometimes?

"It's the team selection that is antagonising people and is why some have been demonstrating. What they want to do is sit down with Mr Romanov and find out what is going on. There should be time to talk to the owner and find out exactly what his plans are."

Barasa has been preferred to Robbie Neilson recently without persuading many supporters he deserves to be selected ahead of the Scotland right-back. Mikoliunas has made more appearances than almost any other member of the squad but has not been playing well. Velicka, with six goals, is top scorer.