Fir Park failed a morning pitch inspection on 6 December

The SPL has charged Motherwell with a breach of rules after the postponement of the match with Hearts on 6 December.

Fir Park was frozen after problems with undersoil heating, while Kilmarnock suffered a similar setback and had to call off the visit by Aberdeen.

However, Kilmarnock have escaped any possible punishment due to Rugby Park's good track record.

Motherwell were warned in relation to the condition of the pitch last season and must now respond to the charges.

The Scottish Premier League board will hear Motherwell's case in the new year.

A spokesman for the league said: "Clearly, everyone wants to see our games going ahead as scheduled.

"Clubs have a responsibility to make sure that their undersoil heating systems are in working order and used correctly to avoid call-offs in the cold winter weather."

Motherwell, who were ground-sharing with Gretna at the time, had terrible drainage problems last season, which led to the postponement of eight games inside two months.

The playing surface at Fir Park was overhauled in the summer, along with the heating system, but a section inside one of the six-yard boxes was frozen on the morning of 6 December.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version