Hearts lodge official complaint against AEK ref

HEARTS have lodged an official complaint with UEFA regarding the performance of Russian referee Yuri Baskakov in their Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens.

Vladimir Romanov, the club's majority shareholder, yesterday accused Baskakov of deliberately trying to "bury" Hearts in Greece as retribution for a game in the Latvian town of Liepaja in which Romanov allegedly refused to pay him. It is as yet unclear which match the club owner is referring to, although it did not involve Hearts.

Romanov may now come under investigation himself from UEFA and the Scottish FA for his tirade at Baskakov and the general standard of refereeing in Scotland.

However, he has petitioned UEFA to probe the antics of Baskakov, who was previously suspended by the Russian FA for poor decision-making. Both Julien Brellier and Neil McCann were dismissed by Baskakov as Hearts were eliminated from the Champions League last month.

Romanov said: "Hearts have gathered documents with certain accusations concerning that referee and sent an official complaint to UEFA."

Taken from the Scotsman