SPFL actions are shameful, says Budge
Hearts chair ann Budge last night admitted defeat in her battle to overturn the club’s relegation to the Championship.
the sFa arbitration Panel yesterday announced that the tynecastle outfit and Partick thistle had failed to overturn their demotions and that the promotions of Dundee United, raith rovers and Cove rangers would stand.
Budge released a message to supporters on the club’s website criticising the sPFL’s ‘self-congratulatory’ statement and describing the league’s actions as ‘shameful’.
Her statement read: ‘By now, most of you will know that the sFa arbitration Panel has found against us in our “unfair prejudice” challenge, following the relegation of Hearts, Partick thistle and stranraer, as a consequence of the early termination of season 2019/20.
‘What has been allowed to happen in scottish football, where fellow member clubs and our governing bodies have stood back and allowed totally disproportionate financial damage to be imposed on three of its members, can only be described as shameful… as indeed, should the sPFL’s recent self-congratulatory statement.
‘For those of us involved throughout this process, sadly once again, we cannot say we are totally surprised at the outcome, despite firmly believing in the power of the arguments and evidence we put forward.
‘I want to thank our legal team, who, despite the result, were quite simply first-class. they acknowledged from the outset that this would be an uphill battle, but nonetheless it was a battle we felt we had to fight. We could not simply sit back and accept the unfairness that was being meted out to us.
‘For too long, chairmen and owners have stood on the sidelines bemoaning the decision-making processes, the perceived lack of leadership, the lack of commercialism; the general shortcomings, as they see it, of scottish football. However, if they really want things to change, it will take more than words. they will have to stand up and be counted.
‘We tried to do just that. Unfortunately, the very fact that we tried and lost, will cause many others to be even more wary. I can hear them now... “You can’t fight the rules; you can’t fight the establishment; we must support the centre.” sadly, I see little cause for optimism that things will improve any time soon in scottish football. I hope I am wrong.
‘My rant is over for now. While frustrated and angry with much that has gone on over the last four months, we must now move forward.’
Budge insisted that while the legal process had been costly for the club they were equipped to face the financial challenges ahead. she also backed new manager robbie Neilson to lead them to promotion at the first time of asking.
she added: ‘We will suffer serious financial losses as a consequence of losing this particular battle but we will survive and we will come through this stronger than ever. We will continue to run our club with honesty, transparency and integrity. these are the values we have always adhered to and we will keep them front and centre of everything we do.
‘We will also lead with strong financial management and with confidence. We look forward, once again, to celebrating a successful year, culminating in winning the Championship and getting back to where we belong.
‘robbie has done it before and with your support, we can make this a year to remember for the right reasons as well as the wrong.
‘I make these statements, confident in the support I know we will have from our incredible fans and sponsors. the messages of support that I, personally, have received have been amazing. Let me say “thank you” to each and every one of you. I am sorry we did not win this battle but as we all know, it is winning the war that counts.’