The SPL is set to punish Hearts after the Edinburgh side again failed to pay their players wages.
Despite the claims of owner Vladimir Romanov that wages have been paid the SPL board will meet tonight to decide on how to punish the club with options ranging from a fine to a points deduction.
An SPL statement explained: “On 4 January 2012, a sub-committee of the SPL Board made various orders relating to late payment of wages due to 14 Heart of Midlothian players. One of those orders was that Heart of Midlothian should make full payment of January salaries due to the 14 players by the due date of 16 January 2012.
“The Scottish Premier League has now received confirmation from Heart of Midlothian that the club has failed to comply with this order.
“A meeting of the SPL Board of Directors has been called for this evening. At that meeting, the SPL Board will consider the situation and decide upon the appropriate course of action.”
The issue of the unpaid wages was brought to the attention of the SPL by the Players Union after three months of missed payments by the club.
Hearts can expect a heavy punishment from the SPL to ensure that other financially troubled clubs don’t attempt to default on wages.
During the close season Hearts recruited players from Kilmarnock on Motherwell when the club was clearly unable to meet the salary offers made to the players.
Am I not right that there is another team in Scotland where players have been on expences and late with bonuses, the Scottish media no about it and keeping stom,