Hearts consider legal action after Scottish Premiership season cancellation confirms relegation

Hearts' relegation from the Scottish Championship was confirmed on Monday
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Matt Davies18 May 2020

Hearts are considering taking legal action after they were officially relegated from the Scottish Premiership in a decision they describe as "unjust".

With the Scottish Championship, League One and League Two previously called off, the SPFL confirmed the Premiership would be immediately curtailed on Monday, with final standings calculated by points per game.

While Celtic were subsequently awarded the title, Hearts - who sat four points adrift of closest rivals Hamilton at the bottom of the Premiership - were relegated for the second time since 2014.

Hearts have since released a statement, insisting they should not be "penalised" due to the pandemic, adding they will submit an alternative resolution they believe to be more "pragmatic".

The statement read: "We have stated from the outset that we don't believe it is right that any club should be unfairly penalised because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

NurPhoto via Getty Images

"It was previously indicated that league reconstruction would not generate enough support to pass a vote between member clubs. In recent days a number of positive talks have been held with both the SPFL and member clubs and this topic is currently being revisited.

"Hearts will shortly submit a member's resolution that we believe is a pragmatic solution to the issues the game currently faces and a way forward that the clubs can unite behind. It is our belief that this resolution, if supported, will provide an opportunity to avoid disproportionately disadvantaging - financially and otherwise - any club.

"This is possibly the final chance for our game to stand together, protect each other and not only survive but flourish in the aftermath of this terrible pandemic. Players from across all leagues have shown a desire for reconstruction and having already received support from some clubs we are hopeful that this resolution can positively progress Scottish football

"As previously intimated the club has been taking legal advice throughout this process and are continuing to do so. We hope that the resolution being prepared will avoid the need to go down this route. Legal action would be both time consuming and expensive. However the cost to the club of relegation would outweigh these considerations.

"To our supporters, we thank you for showing patience and continuing to back the club. We will continue to fight against what we believe is an unjust outcome."

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