Terry Christie: Hearts should stop throwing their toys out of the pram

Ann Budge wrongly contested Hearts’ demotion at the Court of Session and the club is now set for an SFA arbitration hearing. Photograph: Ross Parker/SNS

Lawyers will be embarrassed that they even allowed the club to go to Court of Session

One of my grandchildren is about to be three. Around a year ago or so he stopped throwing his toys out of the pram.

Those at Tynecastle could learn from him.

When the proposed 14-10-10-10 failed to muster enough votes and, with relegation seeming inevitable, Hearts felt justifiably angry.

They should have stamped their feet, jumped up and down, sat in a darkened room for a while and then accepted the decision.

But no, the toys went out the pram and the lawyers were called in.

And, as you know, these guys do not come cheap.

Did the lawyers, or anyone at Hearts, actually read the Scottish Football Association’s articles of association before deciding to use the legal system to settle their dispute with the Scottish Professional Football League?

If they had done so they would have come across a very long, very detailed document called the “Judicial Panel Protocol” which makes it clear that, in any dispute within the nine domestic associations that they govern, the SFA are the sole arbiters.

Involving courts is precluded and that is why I am puzzled by the advice Ann Budge received from her lawyers.

It should have been, “Dinnae bother Ann”.

I would like to think the lawyers will be blushing when they present their invoice for allowing a case that could not be won to go ahead.

I have no idea whether or not benefactor James Anderson has provided some “legal aid” but I do know that the money spent on lawyers could have been put to a better use. I feel strongly that Hearts have been dealt with unfairly but 
also feel strongly that they should now be concentrating on next 
season.

Like my grandson, they will find that keeping the toys in the pram is for the best.

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