Scottish Premiership: Hearts threatens legal action over 'unjust' relegation

Hearts feel it has been "unfairly penalised" after its relegation from the Scottish Premiership was confirmed on Monday.

Hearts still harbour hopes that the league may be restructured so it will stay in the top flight.

Hearts has threatened to take legal action over its "unjust" relegation from the Scottish Premiership.

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) announced on Monday the 2019-20 season could not be completed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Celtic was crowned champion for a record-equalling ninth time in a row and Hearts was consigned to the Championship after the final standings were calculated on a points-per-game basis.

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Hearts was four points adrift of second-bottom Hamilton Academical with eight games to play when the season was suspended in March amid the COVID-19 crisis.

The Edinburgh club will not go down without a fight and still harbour hopes that the league may be restructured so it will stay in the top flight.

A club statement said: "We have stated from the outset that we don't believe it is right that any club should be unfairly penalised because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It was previously indicated that league reconstruction would not generate enough support to pass a vote between member clubs. In recent days a number of positive talks have been held with both the SPFL and member clubs and this topic is currently being revisited.

"Hearts will shortly submit a member's resolution that we believe is a pragmatic solution to the issues the game currently faces and a way forward that the clubs can unite behind. It is our belief that this resolution, if supported, will provide an opportunity to avoid disproportionately disadvantaging - financially and otherwise - any club. 

"This is possibly the final chance for our game to stand together, protect each other and not only survive but flourish in the aftermath of this terrible pandemic.

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"Players from across all leagues have shown a desire for reconstruction and having already received support from some clubs we are hopeful that this resolution can positively progress Scottish football.

"As previously intimated the club has been taking legal advice throughout this process and are continuing to do so. We hope that the resolution being prepared will avoid the need to go down this route. Legal action would be both time consuming and expensive. However, the cost to the club of relegation would outweigh these considerations.

"To our supporters, we thank you for showing patience and continuing to back the club. We will continue to fight against what we believe is an unjust outcome."