SPORT Budge left furious by ‘shameful’ SFA verdict
Hearts owner attacks SPFL as relegations are confirmed Barkas set to sign as Celtic target striker Ajeti
HEARTS chairman Ann Budge has branded the SPFL’s actions as ‘shameful’ after an SFA arbitration panel ruled against the club’s challenge against the decision to end the 2019/20 season early and relegate them.
The Tynecastle club and Partick Thistle had sought to have their demotion to the Championship and League One, as well as that of Stranraer to League Two, overturned and the promotions of Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers reversed.
However, all three members of an independent panel set up by the SFA found the SPFL had been entitled to end the leagues early and decide final placings on a points per game basis after a resolution was passed by 80 per cent of their affiliated clubs.
The furious Tynecastle chief also aimed a swipe at Hampden bosses for their triumphant tone when announcing their victory.
A statement on the Hearts website 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.
“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.
“We could not simply sit back and accept the unfairness that was being meted out to us.
“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 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.”
CELTIC are set to complete the £5million capture of goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas from AEK Athens, as Neil Lennon also looks to seal a loan deal for West Ham striker Albian Ajeti before the start of the Premiership campaign.
It is understood that Greek international Barkas will sign a four-year deal with the Scottish champions today after Celtic increased their original offer for his services and included a sell-on clause.
The club have been on the hunt for a new No.1 since Fraser Forster rejected the opportunity of another loan move from Southampton, and Lennon believes that 26-year-old Barkas is the man to fill his formidable gloves. The player is travelling to Glasgow today and will put pen to paper if all goes well with his medical.
Meanwhile, Lennon played down reports in England yesterday that a season-long loan deal with an option to buy had already been agreed with West Ham for Swiss striker Ajeti. While admitting he had discussed bringing the player in with head of football operations Nick Hammond and chief executive Peter Lawwell, Lennon said: “I’m not aware of that. I was talking to Nick and Peter on Monday and hopefully we will have some sort of resolution this week.
“We’re not there yet [in terms of the squad]. We’d like to get a couple more in as we let seven or eight leave in the summer.”
Celtic’s move to bring Ajeti in on loan comes even as Lennon declared himself delighted with the comeback performance of Leigh Griffiths, with the striker shining in a half-hour cameo in a 3-1 friendly win over Hibernian yesterday.
“You can’t have enough good strikers in the building,” he sid.
“Leigh has missed a lot of football over the last few years but at 29 he is still at his peak. He just has to maintain that now.
“But it doesn’t change the fact we will look to bring one in.”