Hearts fans vent their fury

Tynecastle no longer meets requirements for European football

Hearts fans have been left in the dark over plans to sell Tynecastle Stadium to developers Cala Management.

Shareholders voted on the £20.5m deal at a fiery meeting on Monday, but the result will not be known until Tuesday.

Fans upset at the proposals directed their fury at chief executive Chris Robinson, but a heavy police presence kept them in check.

Hearts officials have warned that unless the sale goes through, the club could go into administration.

Monday's meeting was fiery from the start and was held up for more than 10 minutes as Robinson was subjected to chants of 'scum' and 'Judas'.

The police and club's security officials were also forced to intervene when supporters tried to approach the top table.

If we don't address the debt we could go into administration Hearts chairman George Foulkes

A number of policemen were present in the room, but four police vans and police dogs were on stand-by outside.

Chairman George Foulkes again warned fans of the need to act on their record debt levels, saying: "If we don't address the debt we could go into administration."

But Save Our Hearts spokesperson Ian McLeod warned: "The money from Cala will be paid in three instalments - but that's only after they receive planning permission to build on the site, and that could take two years."

Hearts, more than £17m in debt, plan to sell Tynecastle and share Murrayfield with the Scottish Rugby Union.

The Edinburgh club already intend to play their Uefa Cup matches at Murrayfield because Tynecastle no longer meets requirements for European football.

"The proposals have the unanimous support of the board," insisted Foulkes.

"Our proposals include a condition which allows us to withdraw from the sale of Tynecastle before 31 January 2005 if a financially viable alternative is acceptable to us."

Former Hearts chairman Leslie Deans, opposed to the move, still hopes to buy the stadium and lease it back to the club.