SFA 'fully support' referee Robertson & release Celtic Park audio
The Scottish FA say match officials took the "correct action in ending the game" in Saturday's dramatic final-day Scottish Premiership title decider between Celtic and Hearts.
Don Robertson was correct to end the match between Celtic and Hearts, according to the Scottish FA [Getty Images] The Scottish FA has released the video and audio from the final moments of last Saturday's dramatic final-day Scottish Premiership title decider to confirm Don Robertson did end the game after consulting with Hearts boss Derek McInnes. The Tynecastle head coach wanted his players off the pitch as Celtic fans streamed on following Callum Osmand's late goal that made it 3-1 to the hosts. The Scottish FA say Robertson took the "correct action in ending the game".
Hearts shareholder Tony Bloom claimed on Wednesday that Tynecastle players were assaulted by Celtic fans. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill dismissed criticism of the pitch invasion as "nonsense" and said allegations of assault have "not been proved" . Hearts also raised concerns about the "premature" end to the match, with referee Robertson signalling for full-time despite there appearing to be 30 seconds left of the eight minutes of stoppage time when Osmand scored.
The club's statement added they wrote to the SPFL and Scottish FA "expressing our concern that a troubling precedent has been set whereby a pitch invasion can effectively determine the duration of a match". The SFA's statement noted McInnes "intimated concerns over player safety", which means the game was ended without adding on the usual extra time for a goal celebration. "We fully support the decisive action taken by Don Robertson and his team to end the game," the governing body added.
"In the context of what unfolded – which is verified by the footage and the Match Incident Report submitted to the Scottish FA – the match official clearly communicated that the match was ended and not abandoned. " Referees will 'reserve all options' if 'unacceptable' behaviour continues After Celtic were awarded a controversial late penalty against Motherwell in the penultimate round of league fixtures, referee John Beaton was placed under police surveillance after his personal details were leaked online. Last week, Police Scotland confirmed a man, 19, has been charged "in connection with a data protection offence" and will appear in court at a later date.