Hearts manager Paulo Sergio censured for comments

Page last updated at 17:49 GMT, Thursday, 3 November 2011
Sergio will return to Hampden for a separate hearing later this month

Hearts manager Paulo Sergio has been censured by the Scottish FA in relation to two breaches of disciplinary rules.

The SFA raised a complaint against the Hearts boss following comments made about referee Iain Brines.

Brines disallowed a goal while Hearts were already 1-0 up against Ayr United in a cup match, that the Edinburgh side eventually lost on penalties.

Sergio criticised the decision and then questioned Brines' appointment as assistant referee in a league match.

The Portuguese has not been fined or banned after being found guilty of breaching rules 68 and 69 which dictate that no club official can make comments about a referee before a match.

However, he will appear before the SFA again on 17 November after being sent to the stand during Saturday's match against Kilmarnock.

The standard penalty for such an offence is a two-match suspension.

But Sergio's heated response to his sending off has prompted a notice of complaint from the Scottish Football Association's compliance officer.

"It was a pleasure to come here with all the respect for the SFA and Scottish football," said Sergio as he left Hampden after receiving his double censure.

"My conscience is absolutely clean."

Taken from the BBC