Hearts have released a statement after the decision to demote them to the Championship was upheld.
The Tynecastle club and Partick Thistle failed in their bid to have their relegations overturned as an arbitration tribunal ruled in the SPFL's favour.
It means that the 2020/21 season will see Hearts playing in the Championship, with Thistle competing in League One.
The new season is scheduled to begin on October 17.
A joint statement from Hearts and Partick Thistle released on Monday afternoon read: “As all Parties have been requested not to comment on the tribunal’s decision or reveal details of the hearings on the grounds of confidentiality, all we can only say is how disappointed and surprised we are at the outcome.
“We don’t regret taking this action as it was the right thing for us to do. There were better ways to deal with ending the season, fairer ways other than putting the burden of a pandemic on to three clubs.”
Tynecastle legend Stephane Adam today tweeted: “No surprises!. Many people have asked me what my opinion is on the subject. I sincerely believe that Scottish football has been the attraction and the joke of the summer and this whole story will have shown 2 things:
“One, there is no solidarity between Scottish football clubs but only selfishness and contempt. Two, the high authorities of Scottish football are rotten and of rare incompetence.
“If you were wondering why Scottish football was declining at European level and why the national team have not qualified for a major competition for over 20 years you may have the beginning of an answer here...”
