Legal costs should fall on Hearts’ shoulders

Sir, – With regard to the row between member clubs and the SPFL I am puzzled why the “promoted” clubs Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove have been embroiled in this.

Surely Hearts and Partick Thistle’s gripe is with the SPFL and not individual clubs.

Hearts have been members of the SFA for almost 150 years and of the SPFL since its inception and should be well aware of the Articles of Association and rules of the two authorities.

The SFA Articles of Association clearly state all disputes between clubs, players, officials, match officials, leagues or associations have the right to appeal to the SFA Judicial Panel Protocol, the ultimate authority.

Hearts going through the courts was always going to be referred back to the SFA for resolution.

Besides causing a time delay in resolving the issue it appears it has cost up to £150,000 to go round in a circle.

Why Hearts’ lawyers simply did not point this out in the first case seems ridiculous and extremely costly.

The matter has now been adjudicated on by the SFA Judicial Panel Protocol. The “promoted” clubs should not be responsible for any costs in Hearts’ actions through the courts and/or Judicial Panel .

These should fall squarely on Hearts’ shoulders.

Hearts may have been proved correct in their complaint against the SPFL but I am still baffled why the other clubs are expected to have costs for decisions taken by Hearts and the SPFL in the first place. Ally Martin.

3 Godfrey Street, Dundee.