WORLD BAN THREAT FOR HEARTS

HEARTS face a worldwide ban on all transfer activity unless they cough up quick for Mirsad Beslija.

Lawyers for Racing Genk are demanding the £600,000 they claim they are owed for the Bosnian midfielder.

The Belgian outfit have given Hearts until Friday to stump up or they will be reported to FIFA.

Beslija, 26, signed in January in a deal worth £750,000, with Genk claiming 20 per cent was due up front and the balance had to be settled by May 31.

But they have still to receive the 80 per cent.

If Hearts fail to pay up, the ultimate sanction available to FIFA is a worldwide transfer ban.

Hearts could also find their reputation tarnished among other clubs, which could compromise future dealings in the market.

Genk finance director Filip Aerden said: "We have not yet received the last part of Mirsad's fee and it's a big amount, 80 per cent.

"Our lawyers wrote to Hearts last week and sent a fax on June 7 to remind them of the payment.

"We have given them until the end of this week before we take any further action which in the first instance will include a report to FIFA. We have guarantees from the companies of individuals involved with Hearts and we will also look at these.

"As of today we have not received any of the money we're still owed and we're concerned."

A FIFA spokesman said: "There is no case pending yet so we cannot comment specifically.

"But generally there would be several steps involved once a complaint is made."

One source said: "The ultimate sanction is a blanket ban on transfers - but the damage to their reputation would be just as harmful."

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov last night declined to comment.

Taken from the Daily Record