Surprise, surprise - Hearts still not paying up for Webster

Last updated : 11 June 2008 By Fargone

Arbroath are locked in a financial wrangle with Hearts over Andy Webster which looks to be headed for the SFA.

The Lichties are due a cut of the £150,000 the SPL outfit received from Wigan following the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling on January 30 covering Webster's move south. More than four months on, though—and with Webster having now signed for Rangers—no money has been forthcoming.

Arbroath believe that under the sell-on clause in the deal which took Webster to Tynecastle in March, 2001, they are entitled to 17.5% of the full £150,000 - a sum of £26,250—and they duly invoiced Hearts for that amount within weeks of the ruling.

However, the capital club wrote back to them in late April claiming they are only entitled to a 17.5% cut of the difference between the sums they have already received in relation to the original transfer—totalling £67,500—and the £150,000, which amounts to £14,437.50. After receiving legal advice that their interpretation of the wording of the clause is correct, Arbroath responded by reiterating their demand.

A letter will be winging its way to Gayfield from Tynecastle in the next few days, however, confirming that Hearts are not for budging, either. We stand by our original position on the matter and will be informing Arbroath of this shortly," confirmed a spokesman for the Edinburgh side.

Last night, Lichties chairman John Christison said, "It's disappointing this has not been sorted out by now. Arbroath are set to turn to the SFA for help in settling the dispute.