Ann Budge has hit out at the SPFL for the "self-congratulatory" statement they issued this afternoon after an SFA arbitration panel dismissed the legal challenge which Hearts and Partick Thistle had launched. 

Budge also described the decision to decide final placings on a points per game basis and relegated Hearts, Partick and Stranraer as "shameful" despite the panel unanimously agreeing the SPFL had acted appropriately. 

The Edinburgh businesswoman then took aim at rival clubs and fellow owners for standing by and allowing the "unfairness" to happen and for doing nothing to address the "lack or leadership" and "lack of commercialism" in the Scottish game. 

In a statement on the official Hearts website, she said: "The SFA Arbitration Panel has found against us in our “unfair prejudice” challenge, following the relegation of Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer, as a consequence of the early termination of Season 2019/20.

"For those of us involved throughout this process, sadly once again, we cannot say we are totally surprised at the outcome, despite firmly believing in the power of the arguments and evidence we put forward.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank our legal team, who despite the result, were quite simply first-class. They acknowledged from the outset that this would be an uphill battle, but nonetheless it was a battle we felt we had to fight. We could not simply sit back and accept the unfairness that was being meted out to us.

"What has been allowed to happen in Scottish football, where fellow member clubs and our governing bodies have stood back and allowed totally disproportionate financial damage to be imposed on three of its members, can only be described as shameful - as indeed, should the SPFL’s recent self-congratulatory statement.

"For too long, chairmen and owners have stood on the sidelines bemoaning the decision-making processes, the perceived lack of leadership, the lack of commercialism; the general shortcomings, as they see it, of Scottish football. However, if they really want things to change, it will take more than words. They will have to stand-up and be counted. 

"We tried to do just that. Unfortunately, the very fact that we tried and lost, will cause many others to be even more wary. I can hear them now. You can’t fight the rules. You can’t fight the establishment. We must support the centre. Sadly, I see little cause for optimism that things will improve any time soon in Scottish football. I hope I am wrong."

Budge added: "My rant is over for now. While frustrated, disappointed and angry with much that has gone on over the last four months, we must now move forward. 

"We will suffer serious financial losses as a consequence of losing this particular battle, but we will survive and we will come through this stronger than ever. We have suffered a series of blows over recent months, but our spirit has never been stronger. We will continue to run our club with honesty, transparency and integrity. These are the values we have always adhered to and we will continue to keep them front and centre of everything we do. 

"We will also lead with strong financial management and importantly, with confidence. We look forward, once again, to celebrating a successful year, culminating in winning the Championship and getting back to where we belong. Robbie (manager Neilson) has done it before and with your support, we can make this a year to remember for the right reasons as well as the wrong.

"I make these statements, confident in the support I know we will have from our incredible fans and sponsors. The messages of support that I, personally, have received throughout this enormously difficult period have been absolutely amazing. Let me say 'thank you' to each and every one of you. I am sorry we did not win this battle but as we all know, it is winning the war that counts."