Spokesman rejects Romanov claims

Charlie Mann says something was lost in translation

Vladimir Romanov's own spokesman has told Hearts' majority shareholder that there is nothing underhand going on within Scottish football.

Romanov has denied suggestions that he told a Russian magazine that the Old Firm buy-off players and referees.

But Charlie Mann said: "We know that does not happen - he doesn't.

"He is saying it because he is not from these shores and thinks that's the way it happens. It's a cultural thing and we have to get that across to him."

The spokesman thought that some of Romanov's comments had been distorted by the translation.

And he specifically denied that Romanov had told Russian magazine Futbol that the Old Firm "pay-off" referees.

But Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies has castigated Romanov, despite having himself critisised referee Dougie McDonald's handling of his side's game against Rangers on Sunday.

I don't believe for a minute that there is corruption in the game Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies

"I heard he was talking about corruption, but I don't believe for a minute that there is corruption in the game," said the former Hearts manager.

"What frustrates people, if the Old Firm do get the majority of decisions, is that they don't need it, they've got great players and they are big clubs.

"But I've no reason to think it's down to corruption or bent referees or anything like that.

"I've been in the game long enough to know that, if it went on, we would hear about it."

Jefferies was equally incredulous at Romanov's explanation of why former Jambos coach Eduard Malofeev had failed to win a game in his four-week period as Hearts boss last year.

The Lithuanian businessman was quoted as saying: "Well, if you've got five people in the team working for Rangers and Celtic, what do you expect?"

Hearts later transferred Steven Pressley and Paul Hartley to Celtic and have sidelined goalkeeper Craig Gordon after the trio publicly revealed "significant dressing-room unrest" in October.

"There might be tapping-up in football, but he is making out that players are paid to throw games," said Jefferies. "That never happens.

"That's a slur on Steven Pressley, Paul Hartley and Craig Gordon, who are good honest professionals and who think a lot of Hearts football club."

Former Hearts player Gary Mackay, who has been a supporter of Romanov's regime, descibed the owner's latest comments as "absolute and utter nonsense".

And recently retired referee Willie Young added: "I've never seen any evidence of either players or referees being bought - either here, or even abroad."