Scottish outfit Hearts have provided a sign of things to come when threatening to bring legal action after being relegated from the Scottish Premiership.
The Tynecastle club finished bottom of the top flight after the season was halted with eight games left.Hearts say pursuing legal action would be less costly than an “unjust” relegation after their demotion from was confirmed.
And they say no club “should be unfairly penalised” amid the Covid-19 pandemic and that they are continuing to take legal advice.
It will serve as a warning to the Premier League who are believed to be ready to bring in a possible similar solution to the question should the return of the game here be thwarted at any stage.
And Hearts appear to be ready to act on the issue which is close to the position held by the Hammers and other relegation threatened club.
The irons have made no secret of the fact that they want a no relegation cluase inserted into any Operation Restart believing the situation currently cannot allow teams to be relegated.
Hearts meanwhile say: “”Legal action would be both time consuming and expensive. However the cost to the club of relegation would outweigh these considerations.”
Hearts hold hopes of a reprieve after chair Ann Budge was given approval to work on a proposal for temporary league reconstruction, which would involve expanding the top flight.
Budge was co-chair of a group set up to look at configuring the division, but their work halted after it emerged not enough top-flight clubs would back any change in a vote.
However, Hearts say “a number of positive talks” have taken place and that they will submit a “pragmatic solution” in the coming days that would “avoid the need to go down” the legal route.
“We will continue to fight against what we believe is an unjust outcome,” the statement added.
“This is possibly the final chance for our game to stand together, protect each other and not only survive but flourish in the aftermath of this terrible pandemic.
“Players from across all leagues have shown a desire for reconstruction and having already received support from some clubs we are hopeful that this resolution can positively progress Scottish football.”
ClaretandHugh says: Good for Hearts. Wherever a team is in the League and whatever the circumstances it entirely changes the structure of football to relegate without the games being played. We would feel exactly the same should the Hammers not be involved in such a scenario. The refusal to relegate in – in our view – based on what the TV companies want rather than what’s good for the game and the fans. The game has sole its soul to the broadcasters but this will come back to haunt the PL as three clubs could prepare to take them to court for until millions.
As a lifelong Jambo I am pleased to read that the author of this article is in support of Hearts threat of legal action. Hearts have not been relegated but expelled through no fault of the Club. There were still 8 games left to play and those games involved teams round about us at the bottom of the League. Who’s to say that we couldn’t have stayed up through our own efforts? I defy ANY supporter of ANY club to say that if it was THEIR Club in this position they wouldn’t feel aggrieved at this wholly unjust decision? HHGH FTH.
Couldn’t agree more Dave 👍
Sorry Hugh, but what was wrong with the last line of my response to Dave re. legal action?
Eh? Dunno mate – nothing to do with me. Been doing other things – resubmit
Good luck Dave. Firstly I honestly if we played games at our place or not dont think we would be relegated anyway and wonder why watford never mentioned only Norwich villa Bournemouth and us with watford below us anyway and villa played one game less than all of us. The bottom three as it stands would in my opinion be most threatened to be joined by Brighton if games are played and good luck to hearts Dave honestly think null void season and two up from championship joining us next season with four or five going down that season . Imo
Agree with Hearts apart from the health and safety implications which are undeniable and in contradiction of every other piece of advice available. The whole structure of what is normal is perversely different to what existed before that there is no way the integrity of any results good, bad or indifferent could be trusted. It’s imho a mockery of football and an insult to all fans of the beautiful game.
Morally and honestly impossible to promote or relegate this season without playing all games under ‘normal’ circumstances. ‘Normal’ is not going to happen. Just like the Grand National that never was, so 2019/2020 football season never happened.
We need to scrap this season and begin again in August (fingers crossed) unless Covid19 is still affecting our lives. We may have to have an incomplete ‘season’ of friendlies until we can be certain of normal conditions to start a proper season.
All common sense really. Scottish FA are clueless – frightened and evasive. Why are they paid to be in charge? Early retirements will follow any criticism.
Happy to wait until normality resumes – until then COYI.