Shambolic performance hints at disrespect for democracy

WHEN a company feels obliged to react within hours to a public statement made by its own chairman, you can be sure something has gone seriously wrong. And that was certainly the case at Tynecastle yesterday, when Roman Romanov gave a shambolic performance in charge of Hearts' annual general meeting.

Romanov's attitude to the shareholders was bad enough, ranging as it did from the patronising to the dismissive. One sceptical questioner was told he got his opinions from the newspapers, as if he were incapable of independent thought, and was then branded a "provocateur" by Romanov when he dared to suggest the chairman's answers were inadequate.

That and many other minor incidents during the meeting hinted at a deep disrespect for anything resembling democracy. Romanov, his father Vladimir and their colleagues keep the release of information to the bare minimum, and it was plain yesterday that Roman was paying no more than lip service to the notion of an annual meeting at which shareholders can ask questions about the business in which they have invested their money and time.

But at least Vladimir has some charm about him, as well as an obvious passion for football. His offspring comes across as a dispassionate functionary better suited to a minor post in the civil service than to senior office in an industry such as football.

As if the manner of Roman's delivery was not off-putting enough, what he said was at least as damaging to Hearts' reputation. If he ever read the club statement on 1 January about their plan to appoint a new, permanent manager, one with British experience who would have Stephen Frail among his assistants, he had clearly forgotten about it by yesterday.

Or at least, he had for a while. First it was "give Frail a chance", but later Romanov reverted to the party line. Frail was the caretaker, and a more experienced man would be sought.

This was the issue which Hearts decided was most in need of clarification yesterday. By mid-afternoon they had emailed journalists to say that an interview with Fedotovas would be free to view from around 6pm on the club's website.

Sure enough, around that time, a 22-minute chat was posted with the director, a calm, well-respected man of carefully chosen words. He reiterated the club's policy: an experienced manager is being sought, and Frail will not be the top man in the longer term.

Fedotovas's remarks undermined those of Romanov, making it plain that the chairman was speaking a bit more off the cuff than was wise. In so doing, they also implicitly detracted from the credibility of his remarks on other issues, such as the planned new stand.

Having apparently forgotten how long it has taken Hearts to get to the stage of applying for planning permission for the new venture, Romanov suggested the club might go back to square one, consult supporters about other opt
ions, then go for one which could be cheaper than the present plans. Never mind the cost of such a procedure, it would also further delay a scheme the timescale of which has already slipped a couple of times and could easily do so again.

But it was his failure to recall which team – Hearts or Kaunas – held the registration of Roman Bednar that was most damning. The fact the striker became a proper Hearts player rather than an on-loan signing from Kaunas may be a minor detail, but it is one which any senior official at Tynecastle should be capable of retaining and recalling.

His failure to do so showed that Romanov is not up to speed with events at the club. That and other failings exhibited yesterday were enough to convince many that Romanov has nothing positive to contribute to Hearts, and should be replaced by a more enthusiastic and committed chairperson as soon as possible.

Taken from the Scotsman