Hearts warn fans over Red Hand of Ulster flag
The Tynecastle club are in bother with the SFA who are investigating the attack on Neil Lennon in last month’s Hearts-Celtic clash at Tynecastle.
One supporter is awaiting trial for that incident but the Edinburgh side are conducting a deeper investigation into what manager Jim Jefferies described as the poisonous atmosphere on the night of the Celtic match.
Speaking at the club AGM yesterday, chief executive David Southern said: “What happened in that May game can never happen again.
“All we are asking is what are the reasons for the colours you’re flying at Tynecastle? As regards the Union Jack, there is no club that deserves the right to fly the Union Jack more than Hearts given the sacrifices of our players. We would never ban the Union Jack.
“But it’s been hijacked and it can be hijacked by a minority of our supporters. We need to be very careful of that.
“As regards the Red Hand of Ulster, quite frankly there is no relevance of that flag at this ground, unless you’re from Ulster Hearts Supporters’ Club, which I believe exists. You can’t be arrested for having a flag or being in possession of a flag unless it’s a prescribed flag.
“What you can be arrested for is waving it in an inciteful manner. If it’s used in an inciteful manner to intimidate away fans at Tynecastle, or when we travel, those responsible will be arrested.”
Turning to the attack on Lennon the Hearts chief added: “We’ve spent the last four or five weeks in detailed discussions with the SPL, police and stewarding companies in every effort to try to reduce the sanctions the club may face.
“We did everything in advance of the game that we possibly could. We’d be aghast if the SPL came back and said there was a hefty fine on its way or anything worse than that.
“Because of the person who ran on, we’re going to make the entire lower main stand a season-ticket holder only area.”
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