Hearts furious after being ordered to stop training by SPFL and SFA

Tynecastle officials raging at governing bodies
Tynecastle officials are furious with the order to stop training.Tynecastle officials are furious with the order to stop training.
Tynecastle officials are furious with the order to stop training.

Hearts have been ordered to stop training immediately under new guidelines issued today by the Scottish FA and Scottish Professional Football League.

The Joint Response Group have told all teams outwith the Scottish Premiership they cannot train until at least August 24 following breach of Covid 19 guidelines by Aberdeen and Celtic players.

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After talks between the SFA, SPFL and Scottish Government ministers, extra checks are to be done to evaluate clubs’ facilities and ensure they are complying with all protocols.

Tynecastle officials are outraged at the decision, which comes almost two weeks after they welcomed players back to Riccarton.

Hearts are the only club outside the top flight to resume training so far. They are adamant they have complied with all guidelines and should not be punished for misdemeanours by individuals at other clubs.

Their players have been tested twice a week at considerable financial cost, and a bio bubble has been created at the Oriam training complex.

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They have gone to great lengths to put sessions on under strict health measures and feel they have now had the rug pulled away from them.

Glasgow City Women FC are allowed to continue training as they prepare for a Champions League tie on August 21.

They will be visited for an audit to verify their compliance with the health and safety measures, but Hearts have not been given that option by the SPFL or SFA.

The Edinburgh club are further enraged that, as they prepare for a Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs in a competition run by the SFA, they are now prevented from training whilst their opponents are free to both train and play matches.

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The Premiership began on August 1 but Hearts’ Championship campaign does not start until October 17. League One and League Two are due to kick off the same day. The Scottish Cup semi-finals are scheduled for October 31 and November 1.

The Scottish Government had threatened to suspend all football after eight Aberdeen players and the Celtic defender Boli Bolingoli ignored guidelines.

A lengthy statement issued by the SFA/SPFL Joint Response Group confirmed that only Premiership teams can train until at least August 24.

It read: “The Joint Response Group today outlines a wide range of measures agreed with the Scottish Government to reinforce Scottish football’s commitment to public health and adherence to protocols.

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“These measures have been approved by the JRG and follow extensive discussions with Scottish Government Ministers and health advisers.

“They are as follows:

“ENFORCEMENT - The JRG has worked to ensure that existing rules will be strengthened to include the provision of sanctions for players who do not adhere to COVID-specific football protocols or government public health guidelines. This will encompass recent breaches and further details will be provided tomorrow.

“EVALUATION - In order to provide government health officials with the necessary confidence that Scottish football can return safely and in accordance with relevant government guidelines and football protocols, the Scottish FA has agreed that the return to training for clubs outwith the SPFL Premiership – which includes all organised adult football over-18 - will be delayed until at least 24 August, pending updated government guidance on the 20th. This is to ensure that:

“All club facilities comply with the current JRG Protocols, social distancing and hygiene measures.

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“All club policies and procedures comply with the current protocols and government guidance.

“Club testing regimes in the professional game comply with the protocols.

"Players and staff at all levels of the game have been reminded of the latest government guidance.

“EDUCATION – Professor Jason Leitch, the National Clinical Director for Scotland, has produced a video message outlining, in the clearest terms, what professional footballers can and cannot do within the existing government guidelines. This message will be reinforced on a regular basis via digital communication.

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“ENGAGEMENT – The SPFL and Scottish FA have gifted Scottish Government advertising space to promote public health messaging on matchdays in-stadia, using LED advertising and via other owned assets for all SPFL competitions and the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals and final.

“Rod Petrie, Joint Response Group Chair: ‘The message from First Minister could not have been clearer. The JRG must now ensure that the planned resumption of football beyond the Scottish Premiership is done in a controlled manner with the strictest adherence to protocols and guidelines.

“’The pause on the return to training for the professional game outwith the Scottish Premiership will not impact on the proposed start dates of the respective league competitions but will give sufficient time to reinforce protocols, educate players and make sure of the ability of clubs in the lower divisions to conform.’

“Neil Doncaster, SPFL Chief Executive: ‘Today’s measures underline the fact that Scottish football is doing everything it possibly can to protect our game. The recent, high-profile breaches must be used as further motivation for all those with our game’s best interests at heart to comply absolutely with these necessary restrictions and safeguards.’

“Additional guidance notes:

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“Glasgow City Women’s FC can continue to train in preparation for their UEFA Women’s Champions League tie against Wolfsburg on 21 August and will be visited to audit and verify compliance.

“Heart of Midlothian FC has been informed of the need to pause their current training programme until at least 24 August.

“Adult (over-18) recreational football will not be permitted to participate in any form of organised training.

“Youth (under-18) football can continue in line with current Scottish Government guidance.”

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