Russian ref hits back at Hearts' criticism

THE Russian referee involved in Hearts' controversial Champions League exit in Athens on Wednesday has strongly hit back at criticism from the Tynecastle club.

Referee Yuri Baskakov sent off Julian Brellier for two bookable offences, the first for wearing earrings.

Last night, after returning home to Moscow, he accused Brellier of putting his earrings back in after a pre-match check.

This contradicted Hearts' head coach Valdas Ivanauskas who was quoted after the game saying: "He spoke to Julien and checked that his fingers where he wore his ring had been taped up. He looked him full in the face but did not seem to mind the fact he had earrings in.

"On the pitch, though, he booked him for wearing them. It is a joke."

The referee said: "Their players just do not know the rules. Brellier had no earrings nor wedding ring when the teams were checked. He put those on in the last five minutes before kick-off.

"They are not kids. This rule was introduced two years ago. So doing such a thing is considered to be unsporting behaviour and deception of the referee. It's a yellow card offence.

"Allegations that I allowed the Greek team's players to play with jewellery on is an absolute lie. Their rings were all taped over as was the wedding ring of the Hearts player Fyssas.

"But Brellier went out to play insolently shining his diamond earrings and big wedding ring all over the stadium. It was a problem he created for himself."

Baskakov also took a swipe at the Hearts' coach. "If I were him I would be looking into my team's shortcomings instead of blaming the referees," the referee added.

Taken from the Scotsman