Hearts condemned the behavior of Celtic fans as 'embarrassing' for Scottish football following a pitch invasion that led to serious abuse towards players. The chaotic end to the match raised safety concerns for the Hearts team after they missed out on the league title.
Key points
Hearts condemned Celtic fans' behavior as embarrassing
Serious abuse reported towards players after the match
Pitch invasion occurred after a title-sealing goal
Match ended chaotically with players removed for safety
Hearts missed out on their first league title since 1960
HeartsCelticScottish Premiership
Hearts have said the behaviour of some Celtic fans âembarrassed Scottish footballâ amid what the club described as âdisturbingâ reports of âserious physical and verbal abuse towards players and stuffâ in the aftermath of Saturdayâs Scottish Premiership title decider.
In a strong statement, Hearts condemned the âshameful scenesâ at Celtic Park after hundreds of celebrating supporters invaded pitch following Callum Osmandâs title-sealing goal, with some goading and confronting Hearts players after the visitors missed out on their first league title since 1960.
Hearts said the pitch invasion caused âa chaotic endâ to the match and added that ânobody seemed to know whether or not the match had been brought to a finishâ. With one minute still to be played and the score at 3-1, the Hearts players were brought off the pitch for their safety following Osmandâs goal and the subsequent pitch invasion, but the match was not resumed.
(Reuters)
(Reuters)
The Hearts team then left Celtic Park within 10 minutes of full-time due to what the club called a âmenacing and threatening atmosphereâ, later returning to an emotional welcome at Tynecastle as some players broke down in tears.
In response, Hearts said they expect âexpect the strongest action possibleâ from the Scottish Football Association and Scottish Professional Football League, while they confirmed they are in dialogue with Police Scotland.
The Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland had to be escorted off the pitch by police amid reports that the Scotland international was involved in a physical altercation with a Celtic supporter. The Celtic manager Martin OâNeill, meanwhile, said it would be âpretty seriousâ if Hearts players had been âaccostedâ on the pitch amid the home teamâs celebrations.
Q&A
What did Hearts say about the Celtic fans' behavior?
Hearts described the behavior of some Celtic fans as 'embarrassing' and 'shameful,' citing serious physical and verbal abuse towards players.
What caused the pitch invasion at Celtic Park?
The pitch invasion occurred after Callum Osmand's title-sealing goal, leading to hundreds of celebrating supporters confronting Hearts players.
What were the consequences of the pitch invasion for the match?
The pitch invasion caused a chaotic end to the match, with Hearts players being brought off the pitch for their safety and the match not being resumed.
How long had it been since Hearts last won the league title?
Hearts last won the league title in 1960, making their loss in this match particularly significant.
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âHeart of Midlothian utterly condemns the shameful scenes at Celtic Park this afternoon which have, once again, embarrassed Scottish football,â a club statement said.
âReports of serious physical and verbal abuse towards our players and staff, both on the pitch and elsewhere, are deeply disturbing. We are investigating this fully and are in dialogue with Police Scotland. We will make no further comment at this time other than to say that it is completely unacceptable that our players and staff were put in that situation.
âGiven the menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium, our entire staff had no alternative but to leave immediately, without undertaking post-match media duties. To our media partners, we apologise but the safety of our staff was our prime focus during these unacceptable scenes.
âThe pitch invasion caused a chaotic end and nobody seemed to know whether or not the match had been brought to a finish. Our players were then denied the opportunity to thank our magnificent fans â sensational to a person â for their backing this afternoon and all season long.
Fans streamed on to the pitch before full-time (PA Wire)
Fans streamed on to the pitch before full-time (PA Wire)
âWe expect the strongest action possible to be taken by the footballing authorities in the interests of protecting the safety of players and supporters, and the integrity of our game.
âThis season has seen Hearts capture the imagination of football fans, not only in Scotland, but the world over. We pay tribute to Derek McInnes, his staff, the first team and the supporters, who have done the club proud this season. None of them deserved the disgraceful scenes that unfolded.â
Earlier, Celtic boss Martin OâNeill had said: âIf some Hearts players have been accosted, then thatâs just not right at all.
Shankland and the Hearts players returned to Tynecastle, where they were greeted by their supporters (PA)
Shankland and the Hearts players returned to Tynecastle, where they were greeted by their supporters (PA)
âI genuinely didnât see the scenes at the end because I thought the game wasnât over, so Iâm trying to push some of our fans off the pitch again to play whateverâs left.
âObviously, at 3-1, I think that the fourth official had said to me, there was like a minute to go when we scored the goal, so with the best will in the world, theyâre not going to get two goals in that time.
âObviously, thereâs a lot of commotion in the tunnel, so I donât know, but getting back to the point, if Hearts players have been accosted by some of our fans, thatâs pretty serious. Honestly, Iâm not pushing it to the side, itâll be something that the officials or people will have to look at.â
(PA)
(PA)
Meanwhile, the behaviour of some Celtic fans towards Hearts players has been described as âunacceptableâ by former Scotland international James McFadden.
âI understand spilling over, onto the pitch, with emotion, you back off, but this is unacceptable to me, going up to players. I get emotions running high, players should be safe on the football pitch. You do not want to see that,â McFadden said.
