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    Home»Latest News»SFA’s devastating statement exposing Hearts as devious, disgraceful and malicious in defeat
    Latest News

    SFA’s devastating statement exposing Hearts as devious, disgraceful and malicious in defeat

    SFA Statement and video release destroys Hearts title losing arguments
    Mark DixonBy Mark DixonMay 22, 20266 Comments7 Mins Read
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    Derek McInnes, Manager of Hearts
    Derek McInnes, Manager of Heart of Midlothian looks on during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
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    It’s done, but it won’t be enough for the sheer deluded…despite the Scottish FA’s devastating statement exposing Hearts as being devious, disgraceful and malicious in defeat…

    Scottish FA release audio that destroys Hearts’ argument

    The much talked about audio has been released by the Scottish FA from Saturday’s title clincher, with it being revealed what most of us had already known, that the game was brought to a ‘legitimate’ ending by the match officials acting collectively from the referee, the the fourth official and the team over at VAR HQ. This therefore comprehensively dashed the pathetic hopes of thousands of deluded Hearts,the Rangers supporters and media figures alike.

    The audio that was released privately in the presence of a Hearts official on Monday, was only made public due to the Heart of Midlothian decision to keep the controversy going through their bizarre Wednesday statement, despite being in full knowledge of the facts.

    Callum Osmand scores
    16.05.2026 Celtic v Hearts, SPFL Premiership Callum Osmand goal against Hearts to give Celtic a 3-1 lead in the title decider. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO/ News Licensing

    Time was up according the clock at the VAR HQ 

    We already knew Callum Osmand’s goal sealed the title, as there were barely 20 seconds remaining when he rolled the ball into the empty net. The celebrations that followed took up more time on the clock, and it came as no surprise to anyone inside the stadium when Don Robertson brought proceedings to an end.

    It should be noted that when Hearts opened the scoring in the match through Lawrence Shankland their celebrations lasted for around a minute.

    Martin O'Neill and Callum McGregor lifting the trophy.
    Martin O’Neill and Callum McGregor lifting the trophy.

    If you were at the game, you would have clearly noticed several Hearts players shaking the hands of the joyous Celtic players. It’s amazing that none of the many pundits or hacks in attendance did eh?

    The audio cleared that up as it was revealed Don Robertson had called time on the game, seven seconds over the allocated additional time, something that even Hearts manager Derek McInnes had agreed to!

    The game was over, the Rebels had won!

    The game was done, it’s that simple. The game was over, the Rebels had won and had Robertson allowed the Jambos to kick off, the whistle would have been blown immediately, so what was the point?  He was only putting the Jambos players, their manager and supporters out of their abject misery having throw away a massive 11 points lead in the title to lose it in the last few minutes of the season.

    Celtic won fair the match and the league, fair and square.  We were the much superior side on the day, and every single major decision in the game was called correctly, with no incidents that can be considered as ‘controversial’.

    Celtic – Champions Again! 

    That equates to a fully deserved Celtic victory, which was why the trophy was decked out in green and white ribbons at the end, as we were crowned champions of Scotland once again.

    Daizen Maeda of Celtic
    Daizen Maeda of Celtic reacts after scoring his team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

    It’s done and dusted, and proved beyond doubt that the game ended legitimately, but sadly it still won’t be enough for the sheer deluded folk that plague Scottish Football, and they will continue with the conspiracy narrative. It’s quite pathetic really.

    Celtic must review their media allegiances 

    As for Celtic, the club really must reflect on the underhand and poisonous attempts by their mainstream media chums this week to discredit Celtic FC and defame our supporters. Martin O’Neill has been brilliant over the last few days and so too has the Celtic fan media in telling it as it really is and fighting Celtic’s corner as always.

    Yet it is the Celtic Fan Media that is banned by the club who will no doubt cosy up to their mainstream media chums again. It’s hard to comprehend really.

    Michael Nicholson, Celtic CEO
    Michael Nicholson, CEO of Celtic (R) is seen in the stands prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

    Just to remind everyone Celtic banned the entire Celtic Fan media apparently because of a few unsavoury comments on ONE podcast. That podcast was I think already banned or had withdrawn from the fan media rota. The cowardly action by our club was really about stopping ongoing questions being asked that the club didn’t want to answer.

    Yet when push came to shove it was the Celtic fan media – and only the Celtic fan media – who were there fighting Celtic’s corner. The club shouldn’t disregard that too lightly as they usually do.

    Here’s the Scottish FA statement in all its glory….

    Cameron Devlin of Hearts has his head in his hands after losing to Celtic
    Cameron Devlin of Heart of Midlothian reacts after conceding a third goal scored by Callum Osmand of Celtic (not pictured) during the Scottishl Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

    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.

    Just an Ordinary Bhoy

    The Celtic Huddle.
    The Celtic Huddle. Celtic 3 Hearts 1. 16 May 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

    HAVE YOUR SAY – Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below…

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    Mark Dixon

    An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Shorts colleagues.

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    6 Comments

    1. Kenet Remzi on May 22, 2026 9:40 am

      Having come so very close to a title victory, it is sad that Heart of Midloathian’s incredible effort has been tainted by their own chairman.

      • Jan Gallagher on May 22, 2026 11:19 am

        Vitriolic club backed up by the bias Media in this Country.

    2. Jan Gallagher on May 22, 2026 9:58 am

      Classless in defeat yet the Media are still supporting their vitriol.

    3. McGoldfinger on May 22, 2026 2:47 pm

      Our fans should not have gone on the pitch, of that there is no question. over the skulduggery and under handed vibes of cheating, violence, “disgusting” behaviours etc etc.

      We won, you lost, you squandered a significant lead, we clawed it back through sheer effort and tactical genius by MON, it’s that simple.
      We should not have gone on the pitch and you can threaten points deductions etc etc etc…. . but the rules do not allow for this, so good luck, and also. pitch invasions? Take a look at yourselves before you point accusatory fingers.

    4. Jan Gallagher on May 22, 2026 3:10 pm

      The biggest embarrassment in Scottish Football is the Predetermined exit from Celtic Park from Derek &Co and the rantings of Foulkes.

    5. Kenet Remzi on May 22, 2026 4:34 pm

      BTW There is a march in commemoration of the Naqba heading off from McLelland Arch ( Near Glasgow Cross) leaving from 12.30 to 1.00, Hail hail.

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