Sergio ‘pleased’ with slap on wrist for comments

HEARTS manager Paulo Sergio last night said he was “pleased” after only being censured by an SFA disciplinary tribunal at Hampden yesterday. The Portuguese faced two charges relating to comments made at a press conference about referee Iain Brines.

“It was a fair hearing with respectable people,” Sergio said. “I made my case and they understood what happened. I am obviously pleased with the decision.”

Rules 68 and 69 of the SFA’s disciplinary code prohibit a manager from discussing a match official before a game, and from making comments implying an official’s bias or incompetence. Sergio had complained about Brines being appointed fourth official for Hearts’ game at Dunfermline when the club’s complaint about their League Cup match at Ayr, which Brines refereed, was still outstanding.

“As I said after the Dunfermline game, I wish Mr Brines all the best and I am not against referees,” Sergio continued. “But, when I have reason on my side, I will defend myself.”

The ruling means that, while found guilty, Sergio has only received a slap on the wrist – although it is a stain on his record which could be taken into consideration when he next appears before the tribunal. That will be on 19 November, when he answers charges arising from Hearts’ game against Kilmarnock last Saturday. Sergio was sent to the stand during his team’s 1-0 defeat and insisted later he had been disciplined for nothing more than hitting his own bench. He added: “If I make a mistake I will apologise. I am not happy with myself for losing my temper at the weekend after I was sent off for hitting the bench.

“But, concentrating on today’s meeting, I was happy with it and pleased the people took into consideration all the circumstances.”

l Hearts midfielder Denis Prychynenko has joined Raith Rovers on loan with the aim of getting regular first-team football. The Ukrainian is now too old for the under-19s, where he starred last season.