Romanov calls newspaper journalists 'monkeys' in bizarre web post

Scotland FC Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov described reporters from a newspaper as having "both the habits and instincts of monkeys."

The Lithuanian businessman aimed his comments on the club's Web site at the Scottish edition of British daily The Sun, which he has said is biased toward Glasgow teams Celtic and Rangers.

The open letter was headed by a photograph of a chimpanzee wearing a Sun Sport T-shirt sitting at a computer and holding a pen, with the caption: "May God save Hearts and me from a bitter tongue and wicked pen."

There followed a 200-word missive from Romanov, majority shareholder in the Scottish Premier League club since February 2005.

"It should be very comfortable for you to write your so-called 'reports' from your cage," Romanov said. "It will feel like your natural habitat. Besides, the fans will be quite safe and aware from now onwards who you really are.

"I'll visit the director of the safari park and ask for a personal cage for each of you."

Romanov says the reporters would need to be vaccinated for rabies, but that he would bring their "favorite Celtic scarves" and reward them with bananas if they were well behaved.

While the club has enjoyed increased success since Romanov took over - finishing second to Celtic in last season's Premier League and winning the Scottish Cup - it has often been in turmoil off the field.

Manager George Burley quit with the team top of the league in November because Romanov interfered with team selection and transfers. The chairman and chief executive followed, with Romanov's son, Roman, given more influence.

Burley's replacement, Graham Rix, was fired four months later and his Lithuanian assistant Valdas Ivanauskas named as replacement.

Eight Lithuanian players have joined the squad since Romanov took charge.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.