THE Scottish Football Association and the police have confirmed that Hearts head coach Graham Rix currently has no restrictions over coaching children following the Football Association's decision to lift a sanction on him training under-18s unsupervised.

English football's governing body has removed a ban on Rix coaching minors on his own after the former England and Arsenal midfielder sent an appeal letter to London officials.

The condition was imposed after Rix was found guilty of having unlawful sex with a 15-year-old girl in 1999 but the FA has now decided the Tynecastle coach can work with under-18s unsupervised south of the Border.

It was thought similar conditions applied in Scotland because of Rix being on the sex offenders' register until 2009 but both the SFA and Lothian and Borders Police have stated that is not the case. An SFA spokesperson said: "The FA's decision refers to England and has no bearing in Scotland. In a football context there is nothing in place by the SFA to prevent him from coaching under-18s unsupervised."

The local police constabulary also confirmed it is not aware of any restrictions on the Hearts coach. A spokesperson said: "There is no similar restriction in place with regards to youth coaching."

News that the English FA has lifted the ban is a massive boost for Rix should he return south of the Border when his contract with Hearts expires during the summer.

SFA chiefs have yet to rubber-stamp his position at Tynecastle because of his criminal record despite twice meeting to discuss his position at the club. When Hampden officials next convene, however, they could implement a similar restriction to that which the FA has just lifted.

Speaking of his delight at having the FA restriction lifted, Rix said: "The FA put a restriction on me working with Under-18s unsupervised, which I wasn't happy about because it intimated certain things that are totally untrue and not necessary.

"So I wrote to the FA and appealed against it, and they have now lifted that restriction.

"I got confirmation of it through the post recently. Naturally, I'm ecstatic and it's a big relief for me."

Taken from the Scotsman