Scottish Premier League Heart of Midlothian will only be permitted to sign U21 players on a "one-in, one-out basis after being found guilty of breaching SPL rules over bonus payments," according to Matt McGeehan of the SCOTSMAN. A meeting was held Sunday to consider two charges relating to Hearts' payment of appearance money and bonuses. An indefinite player registration embargo imposed earlier this month remains in place "until such time as the SPL board is satisfied that the remuneration default is no longer ongoing," while restrictions have been placed on any future transfer activity. Those restrictions are: "One out, one in (the club will only be able to replace such number of players as have their registrations with the club terminated -- whether by sale, mutual agreement or otherwise);" Only U21 players, as defined in the SPL rules, will be able to be registered, while any new U21 player registered "must have an annualised employment cost lower than that of the player leaving the club" (SCOTSMAN, 12/31). The BBC reported the SPL board sub-committee that considered the charges "comprised CEO Neil Doncaster, Secretary Iain Blair and Kilmarnock Chair Michael Johnston." Hearts, which had legal representation at the hearing, "have seven days to lodge an appeal." An SPL statement read: "The decision of the sub-committee [Monday] was that the club should be made subject to further restrictions on the registration of players" (BBC, 12/31).
