Hearts want probe

THE Scottish Football Association has promised to consider Hearts’ request to investigate the decision which cost them a point in the 2-1 defeat by Rangers on Wednesday, writes BARRY ANDERSON and CHRIS ROBERTS.

Tynecastle non-executive director Sergejus Fedotovas has lodged the written request with the governing body after Lee Miller was adjudged to have fouled Gers defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos in the final minute of the Scottish Premierleague game and a penalty was awarded.

And Chris Robinson, now a non-exective director of Hearts, commented: "Perhaps the outcome of that inquiry could be a rematch but I think that’s a good bit down the line. We’re asking for an inquiry. The fans deserve an inquiry.

"If we want to work hard and bring them to watch matches in Edinburgh, at Tynecastle... they’re even talking about not going to away games; they’re sickened by it."

Linesman Andy Davis flagged for the infringement just three minutes after Mark Burchill had cancelled out a Nacho Novo strike.

The decision sparked a few minutes of mayhem. Before referee Hugh Dallas consulted with his assistant, Rangers forward Dado Prso was dismissed for his over-zealous wresting of the ball from Jambos goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Then, after Dallas pointed to the spot, Hearts winger Saulius Mikoliunas angrily confronted Davis to earn a red card before gaining a second dismissal for foul and abusive language.

An SFA spokesman said: "The SFA have received a letter from Hearts chief executive Sergejus Fedotovas asking for an inquiry into the decision.

"The SFA has a clear and well-established process for dealing with disciplinary matters and the events of Wednesday night will be considered by the next meeting of the disciplinary committee, which meets on March 15.

"No evidence has been submitted that the match was not played in accordance with the laws of the game, which state clearly that the decision of the referee regarding facts concerned with play are final.

"We will respond to Heart of Midlothian Football Club in due course."

But Hearts insist they are only requesting an inquiry and do not want the game to be replayed.

Former acting chief executive Fedetovas, who stepped down this week to allow Phil Anderton to take over on a full-time basis, said: "We have asked for an inquiry and we have not asked for any replay.

"If they reject our request for an inquiry, that would be a bad answer for supporters of Scottish football."

"I haven’t thought about the possibility of maybe them turning their back and saying there won’t be an inquiry and I haven’t thought about what will happen next."

Hearts believe the decision, which allowed Aberdeen to leapfrog them into fourth place in the SPL table, had to be questioned after the club was bombarded with letters from outraged fans.

Meanwhile, Hearts were informed yesterday by the SFA that Mikoliunas has incurred a three-match ban and will be hauled before the disciplinary committee for his double red cards.

The Lithuanian midfielder must appear before the SFA on March 15.

An SFA spokeswoman said Mikoliunas had been sent off for violent conduct, meaning an automatic one-match ban and 12 penalty points and was then reported for "offensive, insulting and abusive language" which is equivalent to a second red card.

The second offence also carries a one-match ban and eight points, which means he has now passed through the SFA’s disciplinary threshold of 18 points and will serve another one-match ban beginning on March 16.

In addition, his actions have been regarded as being of a significantly serious nature and it will be also discussed on March 15.

However Hearts assistant manager Donald Park believes the incident should be forgotten, claiming the player has already received sufficient punishment.

"It’s not as if he hooked anyone," said Park. "I think the two red cards more than suffice because was Saulius did was so out of character. I know the English FA gave David Prutton of Southampton a hefty ban for pushing an official, but I would hope that hasn’t set the standard."

Paul Hartley will also miss two matches from March 16 after his booking against Rangers also took him over the threshold.

Mikoliunas will sit out Hearts’ league encounters with Dunfermline, Inverness and Livingston, while Hartley will miss the Livingston match and the meeting with Celtic two weeks later.

Taken from the Scotsman