The SFA then imposed a whopping £25,000 penalty on Saints for what was effectively a clerical error. By comparison, teams playing in the Champions League have been fined less for their fans making racial chants!
It had seemed that an appeal was not possible and there was outrage over both this, and the size of the penalty, in the Scottish media. Everywhere except in The Scotsman, of course, who seemed to enjoy dragging Saints name through the mud over the Spartans affair and said the penalty was fair. The fact that a Spartans striker works for The Scotsman is surely just a coincidence.
It turned out that whilst Saints couldn't appeal the fact they were punished, they could appeal the level of punishment. This appeal was lodged a few weeks ago, and should finally be heard tomorrow. No doubt those broad minded souls at the SFA will increase it rather than reduce it!
Meanwhile, Saints could also hear whether they will be given dispensation by the SPL this week. Saints need to install undersoil heating at Love Street to meet the SPL requirements, but with a new stadium a year away the club have asked to be let off for a year.
Should the SPL reject our request, and with letting us off being the common sense thing they probably won't, then Saints chairman Stewart Gilmour has promised the club will install undersoil heating at Love Street over the summer.