Media kept at bay by Hearts and Rangers

HEARTS maintained a media blackout after losing 2-0 at home to Rangers yesterday, refusing to allow manager Paulo Sergio or any player to speak at the post-match press conference – while Rangers continued with their policy of non-co-operation with the BBC, who agreed not to attend the press conference.

Hearts introduced their ban late last week as part of their dispute with the Scottish Football Association over referee Iain Brines and his chalking-off of a goal in their League Cup defeat by Ayr United. The SFA’s Judicial Panel is to investigate remarks made by Sergio about Brines at a press conference this month.

Hearts argue that Brines gave one explanation to Sergio after the match about his reasons for booking Eggert Jonsson rather than awarding the Icelander a goal, then another explanation subsequently. The Tynecastle club have written to the governing body asking them how the referee could be allowed to offer two conflicting accounts, and Sergio said he was “unhappy” that Brines should officiate in a game involving Hearts while the matter remained unresolved.

A statement on the Hearts website suggested that, by then contacting the SFA to inquire about the case, “elements of the media” were complicit in the decision to hold a Judicial Panel hearing. It claimed the ban on dealings with the media, in place at least until the hearing on 3 November, was part of the club’s “duty of care” to its employees.

“The club feels it is entirely wrong for Paulo Sergio to be potentially sanctioned given the circumstances,” the statement said. “For this reason, in addition to defending the manager’s position, the club will also suspend all general media activity.”

Rangers’ row with the BBC concerns the documentary about owner Craig Whyte broadcast by the company on Thursday.