Hearts board to rule on sex offender Craig Thomson

The footballing future of Hearts full-back Craig Thomson remained in the hands of club owner Vladimir Romanov last night after a meeting yesterday failed to come to a decision on the recently convicted sex offender.

Thomson was last week fined 4,000 and put on the sex offenders' register after pleading guilty to "lewd, libidinous and indecent behaviour" with two underage girls on the internet. Reports later suggested Hearts had been warned about the player's online behaviour by a parent six months before his arrest in September last year.

There have been calls from fans to sack the 20-year-old, who made 29 appearances for the Tynecastle side last season. The Scotland under-21 international is under contract to Hearts for another two years. However, the club have again postponed making a decision until a board meeting can be convened. A club spokesman was unable to say when this would be.

Thomson was present at Tynecastle yesterday as the player's future at the club was discussed at a meeting with manager Jim Jefferies and managing director David Southern. Also present was a representative from PFA Scotland, the players' union, and a staff member from the club's human resources department.

A board meeting will now be held to confirm what action should be taken over Thomson, who has been on the books of the Tynecastle club since he was ten. Currently listed as club directors are chairman Roman Romanov, Julija Goncaruk, Sergejus Fedotovas and Vialijus Vasiliauskas. But Vladimir Romanov is likely to have the final say on whether the player will be permitted to remain at the club.