The Scottish FA this evening released video footage of the closing moments of the Celtic v Hearts title decider on Saturday which covers VAR looking at the third Celtic goal and the conversations among the match officials including the referee, the fourth official and the VAR team…
This conclusively shows that the game was ended by the referee AFTER the added time had been played but it goes much further with the fourth official stating that Hearts Manager Derek McInnes wanted the game ended and his players off the park.
The SFA also released a devastatingly revealing statement that makes Heart of Midlothian look particularly foolish, before you even consider the fact that no-one from that club has shown the slightest piece of sportsmanship in congratulating Celtic on the 3-1 win which meant that the title and the trophy stayed at Celtic Park.
Here’s the Scottish FA statement as published via the SFA’s official website…
Scottish FA statement | Celtic v Heart of Midlothian…
We note the contents of Heart of Midlothian’s statement yesterday and accompanying letter signed by the club Chair, Calum Paterson. In the interests of transparency, we are happy to set out the facts.
Regarding references to a ‘premature ending of the match’, the Scottish FA’s Chief Governance Officer, Gary Booth, the Head of Refereeing, William Collum, and VAR Manager Martin Atkinson reviewed the audio-visual footage of the period in question on Monday at the club’s request, with Mr Paterson in attendance.
While it was the agreed intention for this meeting to be conducted privately, recent statements have compelled us to consider the public interest in providing clarification and chronology.
To that end, we are happy to publish the relevant audio-visual footage.
It was made clear at that meeting that the match official, Don Robertson, took the correct action in ending the game.
We note there has been speculation regarding the blowing of a final whistle. The Laws of the Game require the referee to signal the end of the match, but do not prescribe the method of that signal.
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.
In addition, the match clock does not stop when a goal is scored. The footage shows that when the match official confirms the game has ended, the clock is at 53.07 [98.07], more than the minimum additional time of eight minutes signalled.
It was also apparent from the audio that this decision was taken following dialogue with the Hearts Head Coach, who had intimated concerns over player safety.
For the avoidance of doubt, Law 5 of the IFAB Laws of the Game state that ‘the decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final’.
We fully support the decisive action taken by Don Robertson and his team to end the game.
End of Statement.
And end of the Big and Wee Cousins meltdown. Â Now for some bringing the game into disrepute charges for these clowns. Â More to follow…
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3 Comments
McInnes and Bloom have certainly brought the game into disrepute, supported by their shills in the media, Boyd, McCoist, English, Jackson et al.
For the good of the sport, there has to be consequences.
Yes there has to be consequences . Supporters to invade pitch ( Cetic did it again at Motherwell , Kilmarnock and Ibrox. ) and for their supporters to taunt and goad Hearts players is unacceptable . As is Hearts fans having missiles thrown. at them and Taunted as they embarked their coaches prior to the game . Mcinnes wanted the game finished and his players off the park as a result of the pitch invasion .. The SPFL Celtic and O’Neill show complete apathy and call Hearts and losers . Let’s hope the Law and the Scottish Government step in . and issue a punishment that hits Celtic hard . Pitch invaders determined the conclusion. of the game not the ref
You think of the bans imposed on the likes of Lennon and Rodgers for incredibly mild misdemeanors?
These idiots from Hearts need a public and harsh punishment.
And Keith Jackass. Deary me. I was howling with laughter at his cretinous tin foil hat delivery on the Born Celtic YouTube channel. Worth a watch. Even for him, it’s desperate and moon howling.