Hearts hit with transfer ban until February 2014

Hearts were today issued with a new registration embargo for going into administration.

A Scottish Football Association judicial panel has imposed a ban on the club signing new players aged 21 and over until February 1, 2014.

The club cannot sign any player at the moment because of an automatic registration embargo which kicked in when they went into administration on June 19.

Although Hearts have escaped a fine, their extended transfer ban will be a blow to manager Gary Locke, who currently only has two outfield players aged over 21.

The Tynecastle club will start the forthcoming SPFL Premiership season with a 15-point penalty and today's punishment will prevent Locke from bringing in experienced players in the January transfer window should the club exit administration before then.

Joint-administrator Trevor Birch, who attended the judicial panel hearing at Hampden, was disappointed with the added sanction, saying: "The decision to impose a transfer embargo on players over 21 until the end of January is disappointing.

"Whilst I appreciate that the SFA rules state that clubs in administration will face sanctions, Hearts have already had a points deduction and player embargo - and it feels like we're being penalised twice.

"That said, these are the cards that we've been dealt and we'll now just have to get on with it.

"At least the decision gives us clarity and means that the bidders can move forward and focus their attention on refining their proposals rather than worrying about possible sanctions."

Taken from the Scotsman