Hearts & Partick Thistle in new disagreement with SPFL over arbitration process

The clubs are not keen for only the judgement of the arbitration process to be released

Hearts and Partick Thistle have become embroiled in a new disagreement with the SPFL regarding the findings from the Scottish FA arbitration panel.

The independent tribunal confirmed the clubs’ relegation from the Premiership and Championship following the termination of the 2019/20 season on a point per game basis.

Now it is understood the duo have blocked the release of the judgement from the panel.

The SPFL and Hearts and Partick Thistle in fresh disagreement. Picture: SNS

The clubs made the point that everything would have been played out in the open if the SPFL didn’t seek for the legal challenge to be heard via the SFA's arbitration process.

They told the Daily Record: “We can confirm that the SPFL requested the judgement, and judgement alone, from the recent arbitration be shared with other member clubs – a request we opposed.

“Hearts and Partick Thistle always wanted this matter to be heard in open court in the interest of total transparency.

“If the SPFL hadn’t sought to have court action sisted for arbitration then all hearings would have taken place in the public domain, including necessary examination of witnesses, consideration of documentary evidence and full legal submissions.”

The SPFL confirmed to the same publication that they would agree for the judgement’s release.

However, it would involve all parties agreeing, the SPFL as well as Hearts, Partick Thistle, Dundee United, Cove Rangers and Dundee United.

Next up for Hearts and Thistle is a hearing over for the notice of complaint they were hit with by the SFA last month.

The governing body's charge relates to the clubs' decision to go to the court of session with the legal challenge to have their relegations overturned.

Hearts and Thistle allegedly breached ‘Disciplinary Rule 78’ which states: “No member or Associated Person shall take a dispute which is referable to arbitration in terms of Article 99 to a court of law except as expressly permitted by the terms of Article 99”.

At the time, the pair released a joint statement where they said they were “incredulous” and that it was "oppressive of them to require submissions from both clubs by 20 July when we are, in terms of their own articles of association, actively engaged in arbitration".

The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, 6 August.