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HEARTS’ bid to get their transfer ban lifted descended into farce yesterday as the SPFL board did not even consider an appeal from administrator Bryan Jackson.

Club bosses had expected the six-man board to discuss Jackson’s letter pleading for clemency on the transfer embargo imposed when they entered administration last summer.

But SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster emerged from the meeting to reveal the appeal wasn’t even discussed because Hearts have always been able to bring in new players on a one-in, one-out basis.

The SPFL’s punishment prevents Hearts signing players as long as they remain in administration, while a separate SFA sanction that forbids the registration of players over 21 expires on February 1.

Doncaster said: “The board didn’t discuss the Hearts situation at all today. The rules are quite clear as to what the board can or can’t do. There is no appeal against the decision.

“They can consider applications for individual players to be registered – but to consider those applications they do need to come in to replace another player on a like-for-like basis. Last summer 10 players registered on the basis of one in, one out.

“It’s simply a replacement player and they have to make a case for him and they also have to let us see the contract they are offering. Until that happens – and it hasn’t happened – the SPFL board has no decision to make.

“I spoke to Bryan Jackson on Friday and again on Monday. The ball is in Hearts’ court, as it always has been, to make an application on a one-in, one-out basis.

“This is not limited to the transfer window period but obviously outside the transfer window it would have to be a player out of contract that comes in.

“Hearts know the rules, it’s the same rules used last summer.”

Last night the club would not comment but Jackson of administrators BDO insisted he’s satisfied to have clarification that allows him to plan contingencies if players are sold this month.

But Hearts sources were surprised by Doncaster’s statement after chief executive David Southern had left a general SPFL meeting at Hampden earlier yesterday expecting the board to vote on Jackson’s letter.