SPL to hear complaint on Hearts’ late wages

PFA Scotland last night went ahead with a formal complaint to the Scottish Premier League about Hearts’ non-payment of salaries to players. The SPL will now hear the complaint at a board meeting on Monday.

The decision to proceed with the complaint was made after Hearts’ payment of salaries became late for the third successive month. October salaries were paid more than a fortnight late; November salaries were paid in full only on Thursday; and the December money, due yesterday, has still to be paid.

The complaint by the players’ union was made after the Hearts squad agreed to take action. They had been on the verge of doing so last month, only to be dissuaded by manager Paulo Sergio. On that occasion, they received their money the following day, but this time the club has not stated when they plan to pay the December wages.

PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart said after meeting the Hearts squad on Thursday that he hoped action would not be necessary. “The members have mandated that, should they not be paid fully up to date by 16 December, a collective complaint to the SPL will be lodged,” he said.

“It is our hope that the salaries will be paid fully and no further action is necessary.” Late yesterday, Wishart simply acknowledged that those hopes had been dashed, and confirmed that the complaint would proceed.

The SPL board is unlikely to do anything more on Monday than hold a preliminary hearing. Hearts will be invited to explain the delay before any disciplinary action is contemplated.

Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas has called on potential buyers of the club to be “realistic”. Fedotovas said that club owner Vladimir Romanov had stated what he thought the business was worth - a reference to an interview in which Romanov quoted a figure of £50million.