Hearts have said that they have written to the Scottish football authorities to seek clarity on what they describe as a “premature ending” to the title decider with Celtic after a pitch invasion.
Celtic’s 3-1 victory sealed another Scottish Premiership success for the Glasgow club as they pipped their Edinburgh title rivals at the last, with Callum Osmand’s stoppage time goal greeted by home supporters entering the pitch at Celtic Park.
The match did not restart after Osmand’s goal and the SPFL has subsequently confirmed that the match had ended before the pitch invasion.
However, in a statement released on Wednesday Hearts questioned whether a “troubling precedent” had been set, suggesting that the game had been halted not by the referee’s whistle but by the actions of the home supporters as they again condemned the incidents.
The Premiership runners-up continue to assist Police Scotland in their investigations into the events of Saturday afternoon.
The statement said: “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, and expressing 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 onto 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.
“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.”
Hearts had hoped to be come the first club since Aberdeen in 1985 to break the Old Firm’s duopoly on the title. Celtic have now won 14 of the last 15 Scottish Premiership crowns, a run interrupted only by rivals Rangers in 2021.
