Hearts fans fear Romanov exit

Vladimir Romanov
12 April 2012

Hearts supporters fear owner Vladimir Romanov is becoming disillusioned with Scottish football after a bizarre statement appeared on the club's official website.

Hearts issued a statement on Friday evening attributed to the board of directors which was a tirade against external influences - including "mafia" - they believe to have impacted on the Tynecastle club and could land themselves in disciplinary trouble as a result.

The club's Supporters' Trust chairman Derek Watson told Press Association Sport: "I would think most Hearts supporters don't agree with it, but at the end of the day Romanov makes statements. Ultimately Romanov has been good for Hearts. He's kept the club going, put a lot of money into the club and for that the majority of Hearts fans will always be grateful."

Hearts are owned by Lithuanian businessman Romanov, who has a history of eccentric and often controversial rants since first buying a stake in Hearts in 2004. Watson has suggested the statement was symptomatic of a growing frustration with the Scottish game, with Romanov's visits to Edinburgh become ever more infrequent.

Watson added: "He has done a lot for the club but he sometimes comes out with statements that are difficult to defend. He's having a wee go at Scottish football - in some ways he is getting fed up with Scottish football.

"In the last two or three years he has been far away from the club, but he still funds the club and he has got the backing of the majority of supporters, because he keeps the club alive."

Hearts were fined £100,000 for their poor disciplinary record last season, while previous outbursts - similar to Friday's - have landed the club in disciplinary trouble. During the 2004-05, Hearts asked the SFA to investigate the "integrity of the decision" by officials to award a late penalty in a home loss to Rangers.

In October 2006, Hearts were fined £10,000 by the SFA for bringing the game into disrepute after further criticism of match officials while a £25,000 fine from the Scottish Premier League followed in February 2007 after accusations of the "buying off" of match officials.

Celtic and Rangers said they would seek legal advice over the comments, while Romanov insisted he had been misquoted. The comments on Hearts' official website could land the club in further disciplinary trouble.

However, the Scottish Football Association are understood to be revising their disciplinary procedures at present and it may take until the new season begins before any action is taken against Hearts.

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