SPL let Hearts off on Lennon attack
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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