Hearts demand – Hearts have contacted the SFA and SPFL to demand answers over how last weekend’s Premiership title decider against Celtic at Celtic Park was brought to a premature finish, insisting a troubling precedent may have been set. The club’s statement follows a pitch
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.
The controversy began when Callum Osmand scored deep into stoppage time to secure a 3-1 victory for Celtic and crown them champions. But within moments. a mass pitch invasion was sparked by Celtic fans. with Hearts players accosted on the field as supporters ran riot after one of the most dramatic and controversial finishes to a season ever witnessed.
Hearts say the match should not have ended when it did. With around 30 seconds remaining—plus any further stoppages—SPFL have insisted referee Don Robertson did blow the final whistle to signal the end of the match. Hearts are refusing to let the issue drop. and are urging the governing bodies to explain how the game was allowed to conclude.
In their club statement, Hearts said they are investigating events “before, during and after the match,” and will offer Police Scotland their full support as enquiries continue.
They also made clear they have written to the SFA and SPFL setting out their “observations and questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the premature ending of the match.” The club says it is concerned a “troubling precedent” has been established—one where a pitch invasion can determine the duration of a football match instead of the officials.
The statement added: “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.”
Hearts’ anger has also spilled over into the fallout from Celtic manager Martin O’Neill’s comments earlier in the week. O’Neill gave an interview on talkSPORT in which he dismissed any notion that the post-match scenes had embarrassed Scottish football as “nonsense.” He also rejected claims that Hearts players had been assaulted as “hyperbole. ” while Police Scotland continued to assess evidence in an ongoing investigation.
Hearts responded directly. saying they were aware of “highly irresponsible comments” made publicly this week that appeared to defend those who entered the pitch and “undermine the gravity of the situation.” The club called on the football authorities to address the matter “with the seriousness it demands. ” insisting on full cooperation from all involved.
Tony Bloom, the Hearts investor who spoke out after the match, sharpened the focus further on safety. Bloom told talkSPORT that some of the club’s players were “assaulted,” and said their safety had been brought into danger.
He 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.”
Bloom added: “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.”
His assessment mirrored what played out inside the ground. After Osmand’s goal. Celtic supporters swarmed around 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. making a sharp exit on the team bus within 20 minutes of it being decided the match would not continue. Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland was also ushered down the tunnel by stewards.
The title swung after Hearts, who led the Premiership from September, fell just short of a first league title since 1960, when Celtic took victory in the closing stages of the final game.
Bloom pointed to the scale of what was lost and why this week still hurts. He invested £10million into Hearts in return for a 29-per-cent stake last year, and said his Jamestown data analytics company helped build a squad which went within a whisker of ending 40 years of Old Firm dominance.
He also insisted this is not the end of the project. Bloom said his plan remains long-term and that Hearts 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.”
He said the club’s supporters were “absolutely fantastic,” adding: “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 separate report emerged yesterday questioning whether Hearts could face a problem next season in UEFA competitions because of dual ownership rules. Bloom is also the owner of Brighton and has a stake in Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise. both of which are set to 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 recruitment.
Hearts say they are comfortable with their position and believe they have been given assurances by UEFA that Bloom’s involvement “does not create an issue.”
Hearts Celtic Park SFA SPFL Don Robertson Callum Osmand Tony Bloom Martin O'Neill pitch invasion Scottish Premiership Lawrence Shankland UEFA dual ownership
Pitch invasions should be an automatic restart or something. This is getting ridiculous.
Wait so the ref blew it but they’re like “no it wasn’t over”?? I don’t even know how stoppage time works anymore. If fans rush the field that fast then what was Robertson even supposed to do.
Hearts is mad because Celtic scored in stoppage and then fans invaded, but like… isn’t the whistle still the whistle. Feels like both sides trying to spin it. Also why are they contacting US sports leagues instead of just the match officials? Sounds messy.
This is exactly why football can’t have nice things. A pitch invasion deciding timing is crazy, but I’m also not convinced the “premature finish” claim is solid. 30 seconds + stoppage time went by and Celtic already had the goal, so what, should they have just kept playing while people are running onto the field? Someone get Don Robertson to answer in plain English because the whole thing feels off.