The SPL have confirmed that no action will be taken against Hearts despite the attack on Neil Lennon at Tynecastle.
Straight after the incident SPL Chief Neil Doncaster and SFA counterpart Stewart Regan took to the airwaves to condemn the attack amid promises of enquires as they voiced their horror at the incident.
Showing a complete lack of judgement the SPL have checked that Hearts’ security arrangements were followed and allowed the Edinburgh side of scot free.
It seems that the safety of opposition managers isn’t an issue for the SPL as today’s statement highlights.
The statement read: “The SPL Board also noted that Heart of Midlothian’s stewarding arrangements were entirely consistent with both their Safety Certificate and the requirements of Lothian and Borders Police.
“In accordance with these requirements, a steward was deployed to each gate at half time and full time, but not during the match. The Heart of Midlothian Safety Certificate is provided by the Safety Committee of City of Edinburgh Council.”
It appears that following procedures is the priority for the SPL rather than dealing with the reality of an attack on a manager that brought worldwide shame on the Scottish game.
The SPL’s conclusions from the incident are almost as worrying as the attack on Lennon with the organisation showing a disregard for the seriousness of the incident.
Failure to punish a club for the attack on an opposition manager will again hold Scottish football upto ridicule with outsiders wondering just what has to happen before the authorities take action.
Hearts were recently fined £100,000 by the SFA for their disciplinary record but the SPL have body-swerved taking action against the club on a more serious matter.
SPL Statement in Full
The SPL Board recently received a report following the Heart of Midlothian v Celtic match on Wednesday 11 May 2011. The Board also considered the reports from the SPL Match Delegate and the Match Referee.
The SPL Board noted that Heart of Midlothian identified the fixture as a high risk game and in addition to the usual pre-operations meeting between the clubs, Lothian and Borders Police and G4S, Heart of Midlothian had arranged an earlier meeting with Lothian and Borders Police to specifically discuss safety and security aspects of the game.
The SPL Board also noted that Heart of Midlothian’s stewarding arrangements were entirely consistent with both their Safety Certificate and the requirements of Lothian and Borders Police. In accordance with these requirements, a steward was deployed to each gate at half time and full time, but not during the match. The Heart of Midlothian Safety Certificate is provided by the Safety Committee of City of Edinburgh Council.
The individual alleged to have assaulted Celtic Manager Neil Lennon is being dealt with by the justice system and has been give a life ban from Tynecastle Stadium by Hearts.
G4S stewards, employed by Heart of Midlothian, sought to challenge offensive singing amongst both sets of fans when it occurred and correctly challenged other incidents of disorder.
The SPL Board noted that both clubs implemented fully the Guidance for Clubs on Unacceptable Conduct issued by the SPL in 2007 to aid full compliance with SPL Regulations in this area.
The SPL Board decided that no action should be taken against either club as the action taken by each club before, during and since the match was reasonable in all the circumstances.
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What a joke
Anyone could see that the guy ran at least 50 yards unchecked. Why have the SFA/SPL not made an issue of that? Why when you see the footage back are there no stewards other than huddled in the tunnel?
Serious questions need serious answers not swept under the carpet
This is the same SPL who were going to reform and be fair to all. Not the best way to start is it?
Without being paranoid as we always seem to be painted, what would have happened to Celtic had this been a Celtic fan attacking any other manager?
There are two reasons no action will be taken against Hearts. It was Neil Lennon, and it was Celtic. If Hearts aren’t responsible for the action of their fans, who is?
If the police are unable to handle fans and prevent these things, why do we pay them so much money to police every game? It does confirm one thing to all connected with Celtic.
The deeds of last season with all the threats to Lennon personally, the high profile Celtic fans, and the bias shown by certain members of the refs group, were no accident and were designed to make sure Celtic were not going to be champions.
The SFA have made the worst possible start.
I feel this puts the wrong message out, the SFA / SPL could have acted to deter fans of any other clubs doing the same thing.
Really hope it doesn’t happen again to any player / manager though.
I am absolutely furious with this and it shows once again the cesspit that is Scottish football. Just wish Celtic could get out of this cesspit altogether!
They can try to justify this all they wish, but the bottom line is regardless of the garbage they feed us, this decision is 100% inexcusable.
Try as they may, this was a disgraceful decision, only reached because the team involved was Celtic, and the manager attacked, Neil Lennon. The bigotry and bias has made them set a very dangerous precedent.
After all the empty promises, they have fallen at the very first hurdle. When you read the newspapers, while referencing the attack, to this day they refer to it as the “Alleged” attack. ALLEGED!!!!!
This is clearly the SFA sending Celtic the message that nothing should be expected to change. This is a very black day for Scottish football, but no doubt, a decision influenced by Rangers and Hearts.
The SFA being made up of the people it is only sets the same bigotted tone as the last 100+ years. Bias and bigotry is alive and well at the SFA!