Hearts have contacted the SFA and SPFL to demand answers about the manner in which last weekend’s title decider against Celtic was brought to a premature finish.
A mass pitch invasion was sparked by Callum Osmand scoring deep into stoppage-time to seal a 3-1 victory for Celtic that saw them crowned champions.
Hearts players were accosted on the field by hordes of Celtic fans who ran riot after one of the most dramatic and controversial finishes to a season ever witnessed.
Despite there still being around 30 seconds to play plus any further stoppages, the SPFL have since insisted that referee Don Robertson did blow the final whistle to signal the end of the match.
But Hearts are refusing to let it drop. As a matter of urgency, they are now seeking answers from the governing bodies — and insist that a ‘troubling precedent’ may have been set.
The Tynecastle club also took aim at Martin O’Neill’s comments, while Hearts investor Tony Bloom insisted that some of their players were ‘assaulted’.
Hearts were unhappy about how the final-day showdown concluded as Celtic fans invaded the pitch
Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland was ushered down the tunnel by stewards
A club statement read: ‘Heart of Midlothian Football Club would once again like to thank our incredible supporters for their magnificent backing throughout this season, and to provide an update in relation to the events which unfolded at Celtic Park on Saturday.
‘As previously noted, the club is investigating events before, during and after the match, and will offer Police Scotland our full support as they continue with their enquiries.
‘We have also written to the SFA and SPFL setting out our observations and questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the premature ending of the match.
‘We have expressed our concern that a troubling precedent has been set whereby a pitch invasion can effectively determine the duration of a football match, rather than the match officials.
‘We have asked them for a prompt response to the points we have raised.
‘The incursion of spectators on to the field of play must never be condoned under any circumstances, and the seriousness of the potential consequences must be fully understood by supporters and clubs alike.’
Earlier in the week, O’Neill gave an extraordinary interview on talkSPORT in which he dismissed any notion that the post-match scenes had embarrassed Scottish football as ‘nonsense’.
O’Neill also dismissed any claims that Hearts players had been assaulted as ‘hyperbole’, with Police Scotland still assessing all the relevant evidence in an ongoing investigation.
Hitting back at O’Neill, the Hearts statement continued: ‘We are aware of highly irresponsible comments made publicly this week, which appear to seek to defend those who entered the pitch on Saturday and undermine the gravity of the situation.
‘Those remarks carry dangerous implications, and we call upon the football authorities to ensure that this matter is addressed with the seriousness it demands, and with the full cooperation of all involved.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill defended the Parkhead fanbase on Monday
‘This has been an excellent season for Heart of Midlothian. However, it represents only the very beginning of our plans for long-term sustained success. We look ahead to next season with confidence, supported as ever by the exceptional backing of our fans, sponsors and partners.’
Speaking earlier in the day, Hearts investor Bloom also told talkSPORT yesterday that the safety of the club’s players had been brought into danger.
The Celtic supporters who invaded the pitch swarmed around the Hearts players and goaded them, before police officers finally intervened and led the visitors off the pitch.
On the advice of Police Scotland, Hearts were then told to leave the stadium as quickly as possible, and so made a sharp exit on the team bus within 20 minutes of it being decided the match would not continue.
Bloom, who invested £10million into Hearts in return for a 29-per-cent stake last year, said: ‘The final whistle hadn’t gone, so no supporters should have been on the pitch.
‘The Hearts players were in danger and one or two got assaulted. It is completely unacceptable behaviour and the authorities will be looking at it. I don’t want to say any more about that.
Hearts investor Tony Bloom (centre) has spoken out about the scenes on Sunday at Celtic Park
‘I just want to say how tremendous the players have been all season long and they were absolutely on the floor devastated like all of us — but we must come back stronger.’
Hearts led the Premiership from September but fell just short of a first league title since 1960 when Celtic took victory in the closing stages of the final game.
Bloom’s Jamestown data analytics company helped build a squad which went within a whisker of ending 40 years of Old Firm dominance.
When the Brighton owner got involved in Hearts he said it was a long-term project to win the league and has vowed the club will return stronger next term.
‘For anyone involved in Hearts it is a devastating weekend,’ Bloom said. ‘The last 10 days of the season, so much happened. However, we must look forward — what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
‘The Hearts fans are absolutely fantastic. We will be back next season with a bang. We want to be competing to win the league every single season we possibly can.’
A report also emerged yesterday that questioned whether Hearts could have a problem on their hands next season in UEFA competitions with regards to dual ownership rules.
Bloom also owns Brighton and has a stake in Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise, both of whom will play in Europe next season.
There is no official link between the three clubs other than the fact they all use Jamestown data and analytics to inform their recruitment. Hearts are comfortable with their position and the club say they have been given assurances by UEFA that Bloom’s involvement ‘does not create an issue’.
