Hearts/Partick Thistle v SPFL - Everything you need to know after arbitration verdict confirmed relegation

The independent tribunal gave their verdict of the legal challenge

Hearts and Partick Thistle were given the verdict of their legal challenge against the SPFL on Monday.

Here's everything you need to know about the decision:

What was today’s decision?

Hearts lost their legal challenge against the SPFL. Picture: SNS

Ultimately, Hearts and Partick Thistle’s relegation from the Premiership and Championship respectively have been confirmed, as well as Stranraer’s from League One.

The independent arbitration panel which was set up following a referral from Lord Alistair Clark QC, ruled in favour of the SPFL over the demotions with neither club receiving compensation either.

The decision was unanimous with Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers the other winners with their promotions upheld.

“The tribunal appointed in terms of Scottish Football Association Article 99 issued its decision today,” read part of the tribunal verdict.

“It unanimously held that the challenges to the Written Resolution of 15 April 2020 failed, and that the SPFL were entitled to pass, and give effect to, the Written Resolution and all that flowed from it.

“Accordingly it refused to grant any of the orders sought by Heart of Midlothian FC and Partick Thistle FC and continued the arbitration for submissions about expenses.”

How did it come to this?

Well, it has been a long and winding road to this point.

Back on 8 April, the SPFL revealed the 42 member clubs would vote on a resolution to terminate the 2019/20 campaign on a points-per-game basis. It was followed by a resolution from Rangers for the league body to “lend” money to clubs as prize money to help them through this difficult time, leading to statements being released by both parties.

The SPFL then released one of the most controversial statements of the whole period when they revealed the voting of the resolution on 10 April without all votes having yet been collected. Dundee’s vote rejecting the resolution had been sent, only for it to have not been received by the SPFL.

Following communication between Dundee and the SPFL, the club subsequently asked for it not to be counted as they weighed up their options.

In the end, their final vote was in favour of the resolution, allowing for it to pass and meaning Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers were crowned champions of the Championship, League One and League Two with Partick Thistle and Stranraer being relegated. There would be no movement between the bottom of the SPFL and the Lowland or Highland League.

The resolution also allowed for the Premiership to be determined using the points per game system at a later date, which it was.

A reconstruction working group, chaired by Ann Budge from Hearts and Hamilton’s Les Gray, was then announced as a way of potentially preventing those clubs being relegated due to the coronavirus pandemic being punished and also possibly expanding the SPFL.

Reconstruction talks failed to progress to a vote.

Yet, in May, following confirmation of the end of the Premiership season, Hearts submitted a paper to all member clubs regarding league reconstruction. That was rejected on 15 June.

Two days later, Hearts and Partick Thistle confirmed they had “lodged a petition with the Court of Session to challenge the unfair and unjust decision of the SPFL to enforce relegations”.

A court of session hearing took place at the start of July which was referred to the Scottish FA's arbitration process and an independent panel.

While all of this played out, the clubs also voted against an independent investigation into the SPFL and the resolution vote.

How have Hearts reacted?

Unable to divulge too much information, Hearts and Thistle noted their disappointment and surprise at the decision.

A joint statement read: “As all Parties have been requested not to comment on the tribunal’s decision or reveal details of the hearings on the grounds of confidentiality, all we can only say is how disappointed and surprised we are at the outcome.

“We don’t regret taking this action as it was the right thing for us to do. There were better ways to deal with ending the season, fairer ways other than putting the burden of a pandemic on to three clubs.”

Ann Budge issued a thank you message to fans late on Monday evening while branding the SPFL “shameful”.

The Hearts chair reiterated the fact the club stand to lose “suffer serious financial loss” but issued an impassioned plea that the club will look to win the war.

Part of the statement read: “What has been allowed to happen in Scottish football, where fellow member clubs and our governing bodies have stood back and allowed totally disproportionate financial damage to be imposed on 3 of its members, can only be described as shameful…. as indeed, should the SPFL’s recent self-congratulatory statement.

“For too long, Chairmen and Owners have stood on the sidelines bemoaning the decision-making processes, the perceived lack of leadership, the lack of commercialism; the general shortcomings, as they see it, of Scottish football. However, if they really want things to change, it will take more than words. They will have to stand-up and be counted.

“We tried to do just that. Unfortunately, the very fact that we tried and lost, will cause many others to be even more wary. I can hear them now... ‘You can’t fight the rules; you can’t fight the establishment; we must support the centre.’”

What have the clubs said?

Partick Thistle chair Jacqui Low called the last four months an “emotional rollercoaster” in her message to the ‘Partick Thistle family’.

The telling line from the statement was: “I ask everyone associated with Thistle to never forget today. To never forget how it feels to be relegated unfairly. To never forget that there are many good decent people and clubs in Scotland who stood with us, publicly and privately – but there are some whose fear and self-interest got in the way of doing the right thing.”

Dundee United told fans they “decisively won a challenge by Heart of Midlothian and Partick Thistle” and explained their reasoning for entering the “proceedings to protect our position”.

"We are pleased that today’s decision by the Tribunal brings this matter to a close, not just for us but for the whole of Scottish football,” the club said in a statement. “This weekend sees the start of what promises to be an exciting SPFL Premiership season. We look forward to playing our part in it, starting with the visit of St Johnstone on Saturday.”

Cove Rangers issued a very similar statement to United, while Raith Rovers called it a “costly distraction”.

The Kirkcaldy side said: “Raith Rovers FC welcome the decision reached by the independent arbitration panel.

“This has been a difficult time for our club and the decision today means we can now draw a line under this affair and move forward.

“We would like to place on record our grateful thanks and appreciation to all our supporters who contributed to the various fundraising efforts to offset our substantial legal costs.

"Thanks also go to the many football clubs and their supporters throughout the leagues in Scotland for their financial assistance and for the many messages of support.

“This has been a costly distraction and we look forward now to focusing on the challenges that lie ahead for the forthcoming season.”

What has been the reaction from the SPFL?

The body’s chief executive Neil Doncaster didn’t quite go down the conciliatory route, saying he was “absolutely delighted” with the “clear, comprehensive and unanimous decision”.

Doncaster has come in for severe criticism during the last few months.

His statement in full: “This is a clear, comprehensive and unanimous decision. I am absolutely delighted that our approach has been vindicated throughout, following an intense period of legal scrutiny and review.

“It has been a very demanding process, but I had complete confidence in the actions and decisions of the SPFL board and the SPFL executive team.”

The SPFL’s chairman Murdoch MacLennan said it was “regrettable” that the league had to be concluded in this way and that he sympathised with the three relegated teams but he was “pleased” with the outcome.

He said: “Throughout the process, and whilst under the most severe pressure, criticism and media scrutiny, the SPFL has followed appropriate legal guidance and acted in accordance with the best interests of the SPFL as a whole at all times.”

Are Hearts fans annoyed?

Yes, very much so. One called the decision: "Disappointing, disgusting, disgraceful but entirely predictable”.

It wasn’t just Hearts fans admitting their dismay but former players as well with Stephane Adam further strengthening his legend status in Gorgie.

The 1998 Scottish Cup winner tweeted: “No surprises !

“Many people have asked me what my opinion is on the subject.

“I sincerely believe that Scottish football has been the attraction and the joke of the summer and this whole story will have shown 2 things:

“1 – there is no solidarity between Scottish football clubs but only selfishness and contempt.

“2 – the high authorities of Scottish football are rotten and of rare incompetence.

"If you were wondering why Scottish football was declining at European level and why the national team have not qualified for a major competition for over 20 years you may have the beginning of an answer here...”

What about the SFA charge against Hearts and Thistle?

The clubs were hit with an SFA charge earlier this month for allegedly breaching ‘Disciplinary Rule 78’ which states: “No member or Associated Person shall take a dispute which is referable to arbitration in terms of Article 99 to a court of law except as expressly permitted by the terms of Article 99”.

It left both clubs “incredulous”.

A hearing is scheduled for 6 August where they could be punished with a small fine of £500 which rises to £2,500 then £5,000 with the maximum the drastic, and unlikely, measure of having their SFA membership terminated or suspended and/or a fine of £500,000.

What next?

The Scottish Premiership season is set to start on Saturday without Hearts who, like Partick Thistle, will have to wait until 17 October before they can get their 2020/21 campaign underway.

Judging by the clubs’ statements, it appears to put an end to their challenge against the relegations.

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