Manager to face SFA over Brines comments

HEARTS manager Paulo Sergio faces Scottish Football Association disciplinary action over comments made about match official Iain Brines.

The SFA yesterday announced their compliance officer had issued the Portuguese manager with a notice of complaint in relation to alleged comments made before last Saturday’s 2-0 win at Dunfermline. Sergio was unhappy that the SFA had appointed Brines as fourth official for the East End Park clash, after the referee had disallowed a goal in their shock Scottish Communities League Cup defeat at First Division Ayr.

A hearing will take place next Thursday, where Sergio will be asked to explain his comments in front of a three-member tribunal panel.

The former Sporting Lisbon manager is accused of breaching rules 68 and 69 of the SFA’s disciplinary code. The first relates to criticism of match officials which indicate “bias or incompetence” or “impinge on his character”. Rule 69 forbids public comments relating to an appointed referee at any time prior to a relevant match.

Sergio admitted his unhappiness at the appointment of Brines, who disallowed an Eggert Jonsson goal for handball at Somerset Park last month.

In last week’s pre-match media conference, Sergio said: “He told me the linesman said to him that it was a handball, but now he is saying that he saw a handball. I am not happy to have him in my sight.”