Hearts contact police and condemn ‘shameful’ abuse of players and staff after Celtic defeat | Scottish Premiership

Hearts have issued an announcement punishing the “shameful” and “disgraceful” scenes which marked the conclusion to the Scottish Premiership’s title race at Celtic Park. The Edinburgh membership has emphasised “deeply disturbing” therapy of players and staff. Celtic’s last-day victory they’d secured their fifth title in succession.

Callum Osmand’s purpose for Celtic, the third in a 3-1 win, fueled by a mass pitch invasion which noticed hearts players antagonized and confronted. Those who entered the pitch have been audibly booed by these within the stands.

The Hearts squad slowly left the pitch, earlier than the tip of stoppage time, with the sport by no means restarted. They headed instantly again to Tynecastle Park below police escort.

“Heart of Midlothian completely condemns the shameful scenes at Celtic Park this afternoon which have, once again, embarrassed Scottish football,” stated a membership assertion.

“Reports 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.

“Given the menacing and threatening ambiance contained in the stadium, our total staff had no various however to depart instantly, with out endeavor post-match media duties. To our media companions, we apologize however the security of our staff was our prime focus throughout these unacceptable scenes. The pitch invasion precipitated a chaotic finish and no person appeared to know whether or not or not the match had been delivered to a end.”

These words came almost five hours after the match finished. Celtic and the Scottish Professional Football League were yet to say anything about the situation at that point. Callum McGregor, the Celtic captain, shrugged off the pitch invasion while the title-winning manager Martin O’Neill said he was unaware of Hearts players being targeted.

“I’m not pleading the fifth amendment, I don’t know at the end of the day but if some Hearts players have been accepted then it’s just not right at all,” O’Neill said. “I assumed the sport wasn’t over so I used to be attempting to push some of our followers off the pitch. There was rather a lot of commotion within the tunnel. I’m not pushing it to the aspect, it’s one thing folks must have a look at.”

O’Neill explained the fourth official had told him there remained a minute to play but that when the Hearts manager Derek McInnes shook his hand and offered congratulations, he assumed the match was finished.

Back in Edinburgh, Hearts players were afforded a rousing reception from supporters having come agonizingly close to a first title since 1960. There has been no Scottish champion other than Celtic or Rangers since 1985.

“Our players were denied the opportunity to thank our magnificent fans – sensational to a person – for their backing this afternoon and all season long,” Hearts added. “We 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.

“This season has seen Hearts seize the creativeness of soccer followers, not solely in Scotland, however the world over. We pay tribute to Derek McInnes, his staff, the primary staff and the supporters, who’ve completed the membership proud this season. None of them deserved the disgraceful scenes that unfolded.”