Celtic have been warned they could face a points deduction ahead of next season. This comes after a pitch invasion happened following Callum Osmand’s 97th-minute strike that sealed victory over Hearts, putting the title beyond the Jambos’ reach in a 3-1 win.
Hearts players were escorted to the safety of the tunnel amid reports they had been “assaulted”, subsequently leaving the stadium still wearing their kits before Celtic’s players began their title celebrations. Confusion reigned over whether referee Don Robertson had blown his whistle to bring the match to a close, with Martin O’Neill even conceding that he himself was unsure.
FIFA regulations stipulate that should a match be unable to reach its conclusion due to a pitch invasion, the SFA would launch an investigation, with the fixture potentially being replayed or a 3-0 forfeit awarded to the opposing side – which would effectively hand Hearts the league title.
The SPFL have since clarified that the match was brought to a close with both clubs informed of the decision to end proceedings prior to the trophy presentation. However, Keith Hackett, a former PGMOL chief and Premier League referee, believes further consequences could follow.
He told Football Insider: “The Scottish FA will be carrying out a review fairly quickly, I’d have thought, of what took place. The idea of a replay is an impossibility. I think the leaning will be towards, potentially, a points deduction at the start of next season. That might be what they consider the right outcome.”
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, former Tynecastle favourite Andy Halliday believes Hearts’ statement following the match demonstrates an “acceptance” that the game was brought to a close by referee Don Robertson – as he dismissed the prospect of Derek McInnes’ side being handed the title.
He said: “Every club in the SPFL feel they have been hard done by by refs. For me, there are some decisions that have gone in Celtic’s favour throughout the season that I disagree with, but every team feels that way.
“One thing I don’t agree with at all is that Hearts should be awarded a 3-0 victory. If there was even a smidgen that that was happening, it would have been mentioned in Hearts’ statement. That must mean that there is an acceptance that the game has ended.”