Hearts react to women’s Cup Final ‘branding’ switch

Hearts have issued a statement after “becoming aware of images circulating” of the Tynecastle Park dressing-room at the Sky Sports Cup Final.

The statement read: “Although the club hands over the running of the stadium on the day to the competition organisers – the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) – we were involved with pre-match planning.

“We would therefore like to assure our supporters that we did not approve any request for dressing room branding in either dressing room for either club involved.”

The statement added that it was extremely disappointing to learn that wishes were disregarded and it added: “How this came to be is a matter for the SWPL and Rangers to sort.

“Needless to say, no explanation will be satisfactory in our eyes or the eyes of our fans. We will demand answers to ensure that our club crest is never defaced again.

“It is also regrettable that this action has taken away the focus from what was a successful Cup Final and another opportunity to grow women’s football in Scotland.”

For the record, Rangers won the match 4-1.