Five-match ban for Hearts boss

Hearts boss Paulo Sergio has been handed a five-game ban following a clash with a referee during last month’s meeting with Kilmarnock.

The lengthy suspension was given out by the Scottish Football Association’s fast-track judicial panel following referee Alan Muir’s decision to report him to the authorities after Sergio became embroiled in a stormy encounter with the official.

The bust-up with Muir at Tynecastle during the 1-0 Scottish Premier League defeat would normally result in a two-match touchline ban but the Portuguese boss refused his marching orders and confronted the referee, so the panel increased the sentence to five matches.

Sergio lashed out from the dugout in frustration, leading to a charge of improper conduct.

The manager did not attend the hearing at Hampden Park as he was busy preparing for this weekend’s game at Tannadice and it is not known yet whether he will appeal the decision.

The ban will see him miss crucial games against Dundee United, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, St Johnstone, Celtic and Dunfermline, and will last until Christmas Eve when his side face Motherwell at home.