Hearts threatened with liquidation

A public notice appeared in a Scottish newspaper saying HM Revenue and Customs has presented a petition warning that the Edinburgh club could face an order to be shut down unless it pays.

Hearts, which is owned by Russia-born Lithuanian Vladimir Romanov, faced similar orders in 2009 and 2010, and was forced to pay a late tax bill of about £500,000 ($736,828) last year.

"The club is confident that the relevant matter involving HMRC will be resolved in the very near future and no action as specified in the public notice will take place," a Hearts statement read.

Hearts' financial problems were exposed after the club failed to pay its players on time for four straight months, from October to January.

The club, which is fourth in Scotland's top division, was threatened with sanctions by the SPL but eventually paid the money it owed.