Greenock Morton complain to BBC over Hearts training claims made by Craig Levein

The ex-Tynecastle boss alleged that two clubs had complained to the SFA over Hearts’ training

Morton complain to BBC over Craig Levein comments. Picture: SNS

Greenock Morton have complained to the BBC regarding comments made by Craig Levein on Sportsound.

The former Hearts boss was a panelist on the Radio Scotland programme on Monday evening when he made claims regarding the farrago which has seen the Tynecastle side, as well as others from outside the Premiership, prevented from training until 24 August due to a decision by the Joint Response Group.

Hearts had returned to pre-season ahead of the 2020/21 campaign on 3 August.

The decision, which followed protocols being broken by Premiership players, baffled Robbie Neilson and the club.

Levein claimed both Morton and Raith Rovers had complained to the Scottish FA about the Tynecastle side having an unfair advantage.

“I didn’t realise that a couple of teams had actually complained to the SFA that Hearts had had an unfair advantage because they were training,” he said.

“I believe it was Morton and Raith. Those teams also had the opportunity to start training two weeks ago, but they didn’t want to.

“What they wanted to do was keep their players on furlough because they wouldn’t spend money. How can this be fair? How can it possibly be fair that they’ve stopped Hearts training when they’re doing everything correctly?”

It has promoted a strong stance from Morton, who “categorically state” that no complaint was made to the SFA.

A statement read: “On Monday night’s BBC Radio Scotland programme, ‘Sportsound’ and in the midst of a live production, one of the panellists expressed the view that he had been told that Greenock Morton and Raith Rovers had complained to the SFA with relation to the Heart of Midlothian FC squad being allowed to train.

“As a club we can categorically state that no such complaint was ever dispatched from us to the SFA with respect to Heart of Midlothian FC on this matter.

“Equally, the only recent contact between Morton and the SFA has been a request to return to full training which was compliant with current rules and guidelines.

“The club, as a consequence, has complained to BBC Scotland clearly stating our position and requesting that the broadcaster addresses this issue as a matter of course.”