Jim Jefferies: Players ‘don’t deserve points deduction’

By Alan Pattullo
Published on Tuesday 17 January 2012 04:59

FORMER Hearts manager Jim Jefferies believes the Tynecastle club should be spared a points deduction if they fail to pay their players on time.

Jefferies, who was sacked by the club in August, was speaking hours before Hearts were due to make their latest monthly payment to the players. One of the sanctions which the SPL is considering imposing on the club is a points deduction.

Although the Tynecastle club announced that the payments were being processed yesterday, the threat of punishment hangs over a club suffering from severe cash-flow problems.

Jefferies, who is himself involved in a legal dispute with the Tynecastle club following his sacking, stressed that a points deduction ends up punishing innocent parties such as the players, who, he added, deserve praise for their achievements this season instead.

“I think that would be a slap in the face to the players, who are trying to help [the situation],” he said. “They have gone out on to the pitch and not let it affect them and the supporters have been fantastic in getting right behind them.

“The last thing they [the SPL] should be doing, after the players have worked so hard to get points, is deduct them. If they take any action it should be to try and help the players get their money.”

Jefferies looked on as the situation went from bad to worse at the end of last year. “Even in my time at Hearts it was not a problem,” he said. “We had to put up with wages being a day or two late, but no more than a week. This is obviously a different situation,” he added. “If they don’t have the finances then it’s a concern. But it shouldn’t happen. That’s why I think the SFA [Scottish Football Association] or SPL should be trying to help and see what they can do to help the players get their money. But, certainly, I don’t think it should be done by deducting points.”

One alternative punishment proposed by Jefferies is withholding the performance-related payment due to the club. Hearts rose to third following Saturday’s impressive 5-2 victory over St Mirren. “They finished third last year and qualified for a certain amount through the league but I think that’s paid over different stages,” he said. “Maybe the rules don’t allow them to hold back money but maybe that’s a way.”

Taken from the Scotsman