HEARTS EURO WHISTLER IN BAN SHOCK

THE referee who caused Hearts grief in Athens was banned this season for two major blunders.

Russian Federation bigwigs ditched Yuri Baskakov for a month after he held up his hands to the howlers in a Moscow derby.

Baskakov was suspended in April for his role in a 3-3 draw between Moscow FC and Spartak Moscow. He was found to have erred by awarding a penalty to Moscow FC and denying a goal to Spartak.

At the time Baskakov said: "I made grave mistakes in that game and I apologise."

Despite this, the referee yesterday insisted his competence for European competitions had not been called into question.

He said: "I have been in charge of five matches in the Russian premiership since my suspension ended."

Baskakov sent off Julien Brellier and Neil McCann in the 3-0 defeat by AEK and the revelation of his ban is likely to fuel Hearts' resentment over the way he handled the game in Greece.

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov is known to be surprised Baskakov was allowed to officiate at such an important European clash.

Russian sources informed Romanov about the referee's record after his controversial decisions in Greece.

Taken from the Daily Record