Hearts have written to the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) to seek clarity over what they describe as a 'premature ending' to their title-deciding match against Celtic. The game ended prematurely after Celtic fans invaded the pitch following Callum Osmand's stoppage-time goal, which secured a 3-1 victory and the Scottish Premiership title for the Glasgow club.
The match did not restart after Osmand's goal, and the SPFL has confirmed that the game had ended before the pitch invasion. However, Hearts have questioned whether a 'troubling precedent' has been set, suggesting that the match was halted not by the referee's whistle but by the actions of the home supporters.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Hearts said: 'We have also written to the SFA and SPFL setting out our observations and questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the premature ending of the match, and expressing our concern that a troubling precedent has been set whereby a pitch invasion can effectively determine the duration of a football match, rather than the match officials.'
The Edinburgh club condemned the pitch invasion and called for the football authorities to address the matter with seriousness. They also criticised 'highly irresponsible comments' made publicly this week that appeared to defend those who entered the pitch. Hearts continue to assist Police Scotland with their investigations into the events.
Hearts had hoped to become the first club since Aberdeen in 1985 to break the Old Firm's duopoly on the Scottish title. Celtic have now won 14 of the last 15 Scottish Premiership crowns, with only Rangers interrupting their dominance in 2021.
