Lithuanian FA chief rejects Hearts sale talk

LIUTAURAS VARANAVICIUS today insisted that club owner Vladimir Romanov remains fully committed to Hearts.

The Lithuanian FA chief spoke out today to deny rumours that Romanov was on the verge of selling his 82 per cent stake in the Tynecastle club to a group of foreign businessmen.

While confirming that a consortium has been in contact with the club about a takeover, Varanavicius maintained that the Lithuanian banker has no intentions of walking out on the Jambos.

And Varanavicius, who is a trusted friend of Romanov and holds a position within UKIO Bank, insisted that there is no financial crisis at the club despite the fact that the players and office staff did not receive their wages.

He said: "I can assure you that Vladimir has not lost any passion for Hearts.

"And I can also tell you there are no money problems. There were funds due to go in last Friday and they were done incorrectly. It is true people wanted to buy out the club but they didn't know how they were going to.

"Look, everything is for sale if the price is right. But I don't expect Vladimir to sell Hearts, I expect him to expand his activities in football instead. He is the man with the plan for Hearts and he will be the one who carries them out."