SPL charge Hearts over wages dispute

Hearts have been charged with “failing to behave with the utmost good faith” over the delayed payment of player wages, the Scottish Premier League announced this evening.

Disciplinary proceedings and the prospect of unlimited sanctions have been opened by the SPL, who determined January’s wages, due yesterday, did not arrive on time. Hearts refute the claim.

Following a meeting of the SPL’s board of directors, a statement was issued, charging the Edinburgh club, with a hearing to be scheduled in due course.

The SPL statement read: “The Scottish Premier League Board met this evening to consider the alleged failure by Heart of Midlothian FC to comply with the terms of the order made by the SPL on January 4, 2012 that the club pay the January wages due to the relevant players on the due date of January 16, 2012.

“As a result, Heart of Midlothian FC are being charged under SPL Rule A3.1 with failing to behave with the utmost good faith to the SPL.

“A hearing date will be notified to the club in due course.”