Hearts sack defender Craig Thomson

The SPL side have decided to release the young player after he was recently found guilty of "lewd, libidinous and indecent behavior" following a criminal hearing

Hearts defender Craig Thomson is set to leave Tynecastle Stadium following his recent conviction.

The 20-year-old was found guilty of "lewd, libidinous and indecent behaviour" following which the Edinburgh club initially backed their player, but have now taken the decision to part company with the young defender.

A short statement was made on Hearts official website: "Craig Thomson will leave Heart of Midlothian Football Club imminently.

"The club has considered all implications surrounding the issue and has decided to find a solution for the player to leave the club over the forthcoming days."

The decision comes after a turbulent few weeks for the Edinburgh club, during which bizarre comments were made by owner Vladimir Romanov saying: “Mafia are dragging kids into the crime, in order to blackmail and profit on them.

"It is not possible to separate these people from paedophiles and you don’t need to do that. Each year we are forced to fight these maniacs harder and harder.

“We are standing in their way, not letting them manipulate the game of football in the way they want. As such they undermine us in every possible way they can.
“The task of the club is to tear these kids out of hands of criminals.”

Romanov refused to answer questions relating to the statement, insisting he was mis-quoted.