Hearts Field Ineligible Player

[Guest]

Fielded ineligible player last night against Cove Rangers. Be interesting to see what punishment is handed out 

http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/news/6808

 

Message from the Chief Executive

 

It is with much embarrassment that we have to advise that during last night’s Betfred Cup group stage match away to Cove Rangers, Hearts inadvertently fielded an ineligible player.

 

Due to an administrative error on the club’s part at the end of the January transfer window, Andrew Irving entered the field of play in the 65th minute as an unregistered player. Andrew was given an extension contract in January, 2018 and his extension paperwork was all properly completed and in order. However, it was not loaded onto the online SFA registration system at the time.  His official registration, therefore, ran out on 9th June, 2018.  Unfortunately, this was not picked up in advance of last night’s game.

 

While stringent processes are already in place to try to prevent something of this nature occurring, clearly mistakes can happen.  An additional step in our internal procedures will be implemented immediately to try to ensure this cannot happen again.

 

The club would like to apologise to its supporters, to Cove Rangers Football Club and to the footballing authorities for this inadvertent breach of the rules.

 

A hearing with an SPFL panel has been scheduled for Monday, July 23rd and will be attended by representatives of the club, where sanctions against Hearts will be determined. Until then, no further comment will be made.

[Cobra]

Can't believe Hearts have been docked two points and fined £2k. Had they been docked the three points they won against Cove they'd be in real danger of missing out on qualification. As it stands they go through with two home wins against lower league sides.

[Guest]

2 points

What is this 1985. How can they come to 2 points as a punishment?

Break the rules get rewarded for it.

[Cobra]

It is pathetic. They clearly want to be seen to be punishing Hearts without severely damaging their chances of progressing into the next round.

We'll let you keep one of these three points you won while breaking the rules at Cove because you might need it.

[Blue4evr]

Don't understand this. Last hear Albion forfeited  the 3 points and fined £2000. Hearts do same and dock 2 points and fined £2000. Surely £2000 to Albion is more punishment than £2000 to Hearts. Also Hearts will have a team of administrators, Albion will have a Johny ahthin'. Bet Levein isn't complaining.

[Cobra]

The sponsor will want Hearts getting through to the latter stages and so will the TV companies.

Fairness and consistency won't bother the SPFL too much.

[bjs]

It's a shocking decision and definitely smacks of trying to keep one of the "big guns" in the tournament.

[chomp my root]

2 hours ago, Cobra said:

Can't believe Hearts have been docked two points and fined £2k. Had they been docked the three points they won against Cove they'd be in real danger of missing out on qualification. As it stands they go through with two home wins against lower league sides.

That's p*ss poor and as has already been said, reeks of keeping the 'big boys' in to boost the finances and TV interest. Can't say I'm surprised, its what football has come to and will most likely ultimately kill it for fans.

[Reverend Lovejoy]

How do Cove benefit from this decision?. Maybe not a close game but it did finish in a narrow win for Hearts. Regardless of the quality of the ineligible player or his impact on the game surely they've been wronged as Hearts haven't stuck to a clear set of rules. 

[Valentke]

It seemed obvious, you forfeit the match, hearts deducted 3 points, Cove pick up 3 points. That's historically how it's been managed.

The administrators must think we are all zipped up the back or more likely don't care what football supporters think.

[Reverend Lovejoy]

Honestly thought I was missing something when I read the decision. Glad I'm not the only one who's baffled by this.

[Blue4evr]

Yea in the Albion v Spartans match, Albion won on penalties, but SPFL deducted their points, gave them to Spartans and deemed a 3-0 scoreline. In the past couple of years Cove and Stranrar have both been fined £2000 for having an ineligible player but on both occasions they were an unused sub. Hearts are well named jammy bas.......... The bigger the team the smaller the punishment.