Hearts and Hibernian united to condemn violent scenes at the Edinburgh derby as it emerged both assistant referees were hit by missiles along with Neil Lennon.
Officials David McGeachie and Frank Connor joined Hibs head coach Lennon and Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal in being the victims of attacks from the Tynecastle stands at Wednesday’s goalless Ladbrokes Premiership clash.
Police announced they had made five arrests, including one in connection with an assault on an assistant ref.
📝 Joint club statement on behalf of Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian 👉 https://t.co/qDB7IUD1PT pic.twitter.com/uz0cNIlMLf — Heart of Midlothian (@JamTarts) November 1, 2018
Both clubs issued a joint statement after Hearts owner Ann Budge and Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster met to discuss the ugly scenes. They condemned the “isolated events which marred an otherwise compelling fixture” and vowed to work together with police to ensure the culprits were identified and punished.
Budge added: “While we condemn such behaviour, we must not fall into the trap of condemning the thousands of genuine football fans, who come to be entertained and who do nothing more than passionately support their respective teams.
“Of the five arrests made, one of them was made possible because fellow supporters identified the culprits. By working together in this manner we will succeed in removing the tiny percentage of fans whose behaviour spoils things for the majority. ”
Dempster said: “The two clubs are united. This kind of behaviour is simply not acceptable. We do everything we can to ensure that we run matches in a way that is safe for everyone involved. Players, coaches, supporters, the media, everyone who goes to a football match is entitled to enjoy the match in safety and security.
Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian have released a joint statement following yesterday's Edinburgh Derby. ➡️ https://t.co/P4NdYgTEY6 pic.twitter.com/P37zyEg24k — Hibernian FC (@HibernianFC) November 1, 2018
“We will not allow the mindless actions of a few foolish individuals to jeopardise that. We will learn any lessons that we can from this, but we would also call on supporters to play their part in helping us to identify those responsible for this kind of unacceptable and potentially dangerous behaviour.
“The two clubs work together in all kinds of ways, and there is great mutual respect. There is an intense sporting rivalry, and we all enjoy that and would not wish to dilute it, but it needs to be a respectful rivalry.”
Scottish Football Association chief executive Ian Maxwell declared that everyone involved in football had a responsibility to drive such actions out of the game.
Maxwell said: “In addition to the well-documented incidents that saw Neil Lennon and Zdenek Zlamal left on the receiving end of cowardly attacks from the stands, I am sorry to confirm that two of our match officials were also struck by objects.
“Knowing the clubs involved as I do, I know no stone will be left unturned – in conjunction with the relevant authorities – to identify the individuals responsible and ensure the relevant steps are taken to leave them in no doubt that such actions will not be tolerated by Scottish football.
“Beyond that, we cannot accept that two assistant referees simply carrying out their duties are put in that position and I would like to commend their commitment and professionalism in seeing the game through to its conclusion.”
PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart likened the events to Groundhog Day and added: “It is of paramount importance that something is done before someone is seriously hurt or maimed.”
The Scottish Professional Football League, which has responsibility for crowd behaviour at league games, stated it would work closely with police and both clubs.
Meanwhile, Zlamal described the perpetrators of the trouble as “losers”. The 32-year-old was struck before appearing to be showered with missiles as he got up and gestured in defiance.
Yesterday result was 0:0, but everybody knows, who the losers are…you punched me in the face, I was ok-no big deal, but feel sorry for your personal tragedies that force you to behave like this. Our kids are watching the games and I’m sure they can recognize their real heroes. — Zdeněk Zlámal (@BobbyZlamal) November 1, 2018
The Czech wrote on Twitter: “Yesterday result was 0:0, but everybody knows, who the losers are…you punched me in the face, I was ok-no big deal, but feel sorry for your personal tragedies that force you to behave like this. Our kids are watching the games and I’m sure they can recognize their real heroes.”
Lennon, whose 12-year-old son was at the game, was left to reflect whether it was all worth it following the latest in a string of attacks on him, which included being punched by a Hearts fan at Tynecastle in 2011.
Speaking after the game, the former Celtic boss said: “I’ve got my own safety to think about. I’ve got my health and my family to think about. For what? A game of football.”
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