Coronavirus: Why Hearts’ Ann Budge is wrong to threaten legal action if club are relegated

The Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak is too serious for Hearts to think about suing, writes Helen Martin.

Hearts owner Ann Budge (Picture: Jeff Holmes/PA Wire)

FOOTBALL fans turn the page now, or click on something else online. I have to admit I burst out laughing when I read that Hearts boss Ann Budge was determined to lead a “difficult legal challenge” against a disaster caused by the pandemic coronavirus.

Drumroll... Hearts could be relegated because eight remaining games in the league have been cancelled. For football lovers, the game is a loyalty, on a par with a religion, one of the main aspects of life.

It’s enough to split families, spend money they can’t really afford on season tickets and sports TV channels, because it’s more important than household repairs or holiday insurance.

If there’s a match on at Hearts, getting to the Western General for treatment is a nightmare for me. Frankly I couldn’t care less (or be aware) whether they were playing Real Madrid, Stranraer or the Smurfs.

It’s an insignificant characteristic for me and just as I’m happy to be pals with Protestants or Catholics, straights or gays, I don’t acknowledge the Edinburgh division between Heart or Hibs. Nice people are nice people.

But in the midst of the coronavirus, with folk dying, folk infected, the NHS struggling and all forms of entertainment (including football) getting written off because of contagion, I can’t expect an unfortunate relegation justifying a legal battle right now.

If she didn’t win, that would just add to the £1million cost of falling out of the Premiership. It’s a game... a game!