Hearts condemn shameful' abuse of players and staff after Celtic defeat

Hearts issued a statement condemning disgraceful scenes at Celtic Park that marred the Scottish Premiership title race conclusion. The club said players and staff faced serious physical and verbal abuse on and off the pitch amid a menacing atmosphere. After Celtic’s last-day 3-1 win secured a fifth consecutive title, a mass pitch invasion followed Callum Osmand’s goal. Hearts players were antagonised and confronted, and those entering the pitch were booed by spectators. Hearts left the pitch before stoppage time ended, the match was not restarted, and the team returned to Tynecastle Park under police escort. Hearts said it was investigating and coordinating with Police Scotland.

"Hearts utterly condemns the shameful scenes at Celtic Park this afternoon which have, once again, embarrassed Scottish football. 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 atmosphere inside the stadium, our entire staff had no alternative but to leave immediately, without undertaking post-match media duties. To our media partners, we apologise but the safety of our staff was our prime focus during these unacceptable scenes. The pitch invasion caused a chaotic end and nobody seemed to know whether or not the match had been brought to a finish."

"Celtic's last-day victory had secured their fifth title in succession. Callum Osmand's goal for Celtic, the third in a 3-1 win, fuelled a mass pitch invasion which saw Hearts players antagonised and confronted. Those who entered the pitch were audibly booed by those in the stands. The Hearts squad duly left the pitch, before the end of stoppage time, with the game never restarted."

"They headed immediately back to Tynecastle Park under police escort. Hearts players and staff were put in that situation. Hearts said it was investigating fully and in dialogue with Police Scotland, while making no further comment at that time beyond condemning the scenes as completely unacceptable."

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