ROMANOV FACING SFA SHOWDOWN

THE SFA are set to throw the book at Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov over his latest outburst.

The outspoken Lithuanian launched another tirade at the game's rulers after they changed their regulations to allow them to take action against those who are not directors of clubs, like him.

When he learned of the SFA's move the Tynecastle supremo asked: "Will I need to keep silent until the end of my life?"

But an SFA source last night claimed: "Romanov is a loose cannon and his outbursts do the game no good at all.

"You can take it as read he will be summoned to explain quotes attributed to him.

"Romanov has to adhere to our rules. He has to be held accountable and must be controlled.

"The Hearts owner has previously spoken out of turn but there was nothing we could do. Now he can't get away with making such defamatory comments."

Romanov's spokesman Charlie Mann admitted yesterday it had been explained to the Hearts owner the regulation was not specifically aimed at him.

But Romanov continued: "Will this rule only apply while you (SFA chief executive David Taylor) are in your post?

"I hope you won't leave your position for 80 years because without you there's no-one to think up such ingenious regulations.

"In case I do get fined for what I say I'd like to know how you are going to spend the money?

"If it goes to pay bonuses to the referees then which ones - those who just happen to be Celtic fans or those who monitor the direction of (Rudi) Skacel's spitting?"

Taken from the Sunday Mail