Hearts await Romanov instruction on Craig Thomson's fate

Romanov has given no indication about the timing of any decision, and until he announces that decision Thomson will remain a club employee, but one who is not taking part in the normal footballing activities. The suspension last Tuesday came just days after Hearts had issued an apology from the player, and in a separate statement had blamed outside influences for the fact that several of their players had "been on the wrong end of the law". There was a stark contrast between the wordiness of the latter statement, in which the influence of Romanov was clear, and the terse announcement of Thomson's suspension.

However, any notion that there is a struggle within Tynecastle over the full-back's future would appear wide of the mark. Although the suspension of Thomson was carried out on the initiative of staff based in Edinburgh, Romanov has now had a week in which to countermand it. The fresh allegations about the player appear to have made the Kaunas-based businessman at least think again about the Thomson case.

The 20-year-old was fined 4,000 and put on the sex offenders register for five years after being found guilty of lewd, libidinous and indecent behaviour in a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month. Hearts' initial refusal to suspend or sack him was greeted with anger by many supporters of the club, and led several businesses connected with the club to consider their positions. One sponsor, drinks company MacB, ended its agreement as official supplier of bottled water to the first-team squad.

Thomson, his father and an employment lawyer met a club representative last week. It is understood there has been no official contact between the parties since then.