Decision on Rix case deferred

GRAHAM Rix's future as Hearts first team coach remains under a cloud this morning, after the Scottish Football Association's general purposes committee refused for a second time to ratify his appointment on the grounds of him being a fit and proper person to work in Scottish football.

An SFA spokesman last night confirmed that Hearts must supply more information before Rix's appointment is sanctioned. The matter has been deferred until next month.

"Hearts have been asked to supply information, and that situation is still ongoing," said the spokesman, adding that there had been no change in the request to the club.

Rix came under scrutiny from the SFA last December, when it refused to sanction his appointment under its Articles of Association. Article 10 states: "The [SFA] board hereby reserves its discretion as to whether or not a person is fit and proper after due consideration of all relevant facts which the board has in its possession and knowledge".

One of the factors used to decide if a person is "fit and proper" is if "he has been convicted of an offence liable to imprisonment of two years or over". Rix was sentenced in 1999 to 12 months for unlawful sex with a 15-year-old girl. He served six months.

Despite Hearts claiming they would do everything possible to furnish the SFA with what information they required, their actions have fallen short of what the association is seeking.

Rix did not attend yesterday's meeting at Hampden, which lasted for more than six hours, but Hearts' general secretary, Campbell Ogilvie, did appear.

Taken from the Scotsman