No panic for Hearts despite licence problems at Vladimir Romanov's other club Kaunas

Mar 4 2009 By Gary Ralston

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LITHUANIAN football bosses have told Hearts fans not to worry about the failure of Kaunas to be awarded a license to play the new season.

Vladimir Romanov's other interest have so far failed to meet financial criteria that would allow them to kick off the new campaign this month.

Lithuanian federation president Liutauras Varanavicius insists its a paperwork delay caused by the end of the tax year and the early start of the new season.

He said: "Audit reports in Lithuania are usually compiled around this time but the licensing committee at the federation have been looking for them earlier than usual because the season is starting a fortnight earlier. The clubs, including Kaunas, will be presenting them ahead of the next licensing committee meeting on Friday."

Only three clubs from eight have been granted licenses and it looks as if Zalgiris Vilnius are going to the wall as their owner is in a Moscow jail.

Licensing spokesman Laurymas Vizibolis added: "We introduced UEFA club licensing five years ago and this situation is quite usual.

"It took Kaunas two attempts two years ago to be granted a license and typically only four or five clubs are granted them at the first attempt. The situation was much worse before we introduced this system five years ago."

Taken from the Daily Record