SFA ‘fully supports’ referee Robertson & releases Celtic Park audioImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Don Robertson was correct to end the match between Celtic and Hearts, according to the Scottish FAPublished22 minutes agoThe Scottish Football Association has released the video and audio, external from the final moments of last Saturday’s dramatic final-day Scottish Premiership title decider to confirm referee 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 SFA says 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 mentioned 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 minimum 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.”
