Seeing red: Ismael Bouzid's dismissal against Hamilton last season was one of 10 red cards picked up by Hearts. Pic: ©SNS Group
Hearts have been punished by the Scottish Football Association for the sixth consecutive season over their poor discipline. The Edinburgh club have been fined a record £60,000 by the governing body for their card haul last campaign, £50,000 of which is to be paid immediately.
Jim Jefferies' team amassed 89 yellow and 10 red cards during the 2009/10 season, one year on from receiving a £50,000 penalty, which was another record fine. Two years ago, the club were fined £40,000 for the continued ill-discipline of their players.
The Tynecastle side were also fined £10,000 in May, £5,000 of which is suspended, for their part in the tunnel bust-up after a match against Hamilton in December 2009. The Accies were also fined by the same amount.
Four Hearts players were shown red cards at New Douglas Park, with Michael Stewart and Ismael Bouzid sent off during a fiery SPL game.
Suso Santana and Ian Black were later reprimanded for their roles in the ensuing fight as the two teams made their way to the dressing rooms, with club masseur Alan Robson also implicated.
Ever since picking up a £5,000 fine during the 2004/05 season for receiving too many cards, Hearts have been given financial punishments by the SFA each year for persistently failing to turn around their unwanted record.
That amount has doubled each year since then, up until July 2009 when Hampden officials elected not to dish out an £80,000 punishment. If they had, and the pattern had continued, the Gorgie club would have been asked for £160,000 on this occasion.
Aberdeen have also been fined £5,000 for picking up 74 yellow cards and 10 reds during the 2009/10 season. In the Scottish Football League, Ayr United have been given a £2,000 punishment, with Montrose also asked to pay out £1,000 for their player's behaviour last year.
