Hearts ask for explanation on Brines call

HEARTS have written to the Scottish Football Association demanding an explanation for referee Iain Brines’ decision to disallow Eggert Jonsson’s goal against Ayr United in last week’s Scottish Communities League Cup tie, writes BARRY ANDERSON.

Officials at Tynecastle have studied their own video evidence of the incident, in which Brines initially awarded Hearts a second goal after Jonsson converted Danny Grainger’s cross. The referee then consulted his assistant, Tom Murphy, and changed his mind before booking Jonsson for handball.

The decision ultimately cost Hearts their place in the competition as it denied them a 2-0 lead. Ayr equalised and then went on to defeat their SPL opponents on penalties.

Paulo Sergio, manager of the Edinburgh club, was incensed by the call and claimed he couldn’t understand it. Brines told Sergio after the match that he had acted on the advice of Murphy when disallowing the goal, but Hearts believe their TV footage contradicts that explanation.

They wrote to the SFA late last week asking them to explain the decision and are now awaiting a reply.