The transfer of Hearts shares from Ann Budge to the Foundation of Hearts has been delayed.
The final £100,000 installment of the £2.5million due to Budge after she shelled out to purchase a majority stake in the club back in 2014 was handed over in February.
The initial plan had been for that to happen last year but was put back with funds being diverted towards the cost of the newly built main stand at Tynecastle.
But it's now been delayed even further after foundation chair Stuart Wallace updated members following the owner's admission last week that discussions would have to take place regarding the transfer of power.
"Given the troubled situation, the board of the Foundation of Hearts has taken the decision that this is not the time to be adding any further potential disruption by pushing forward with the handover of the majority shareholding," he said.
"All parties remain totally committed to fan ownership and this handover will, of course, still happen, but such an historic event must be conducted at a more settled time – a time when the handover enables the club to proceed seamlessly with its business and a time when we can properly celebrate the achievement of the fans in reaching this milestone.
"Sadly, this is not a time when any of us, we believe, has the inclination for a celebration, however well merited."
All full-time staff have been asked to take a 50 per cent wage cut with the club facing several months without any income due to the coronavirus shutdown.
Captain Steven Naismith has already confirmed he has accepted the request and will stick around next season.
The majority of players are still taking legal advice, with their preference thought to be a wage deferral rather than straight pay cut.
In the meantime, fans have continued to give their backing, with the total raised now sitting at £10, 002, 385 with subscriber numbers getting a boost from a modest increase since football was put on the back burner.
It remains to be seen whether the fans will inherit a top flight club however, with the SPFL yet to determine whether Hearts will be relegated if the season cannot restart.
