Hearts fans want Celtic result overturned after players attacked and match ‘abandoned’ | Football | Sport
Hearts fans are calling for Celtic to be stripped of the Scottish Premiership title after Saturday’s decisive clash at Parkhead. Both teams went into the match with everything to play for, given that Hearts were leading the league table by a single point. They only needed to avoid defeat to wrap up the title and made the perfect start when Lawrence Shankland fired them ahead in the first half.
Hearts were forced to throw the kitchen sink at Celtic in stoppage time, sending goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow up for a late free-kick in the closing seconds. However, it was cleared away and Callum Osmand was able to score into an empty net.
It proved to be the last kick of the game as Celtic supporters flooded the pitch to celebrate winning a fifth straight title. However, the final whistle hadn’t been blown and referee Don Robertson was forced to halt play, given that it was impossible to continue.
Some supporters have since called for the game to be abandoned and Hearts awarded a 3-0 win, which would result in them claiming the league title instead of Celtic.
On X (formerly Twitter), @4everajambo wrote: “Was that the ref getting Hearts players down the tunnel? If he hadn’t blown for full time, it has to be abandoned doesn’t it?”
@catherine_imrie added: “Any other league where fans run on the pitch before game is over and assaults one of the players, the game should be forfeited and points given to the other team.”
@loz_lozyoung shared a similar view, posting: “Celtic fans are a disgrace. This match should be declared abandoned.”
Others suggested that a precedent had been set in Czechia earlier this month, when the derby between Slavia Prague and Sparta Prague was abandoned under similar circumstances.
Slavia were leading 3-2 in the seventh minute of stoppage time and were closing in on clinching the league title when hundreds of their fans stormed the pitch.
Czech football authorities responded by awarding a 3-0 victory to Slavia, who were fined themselves after their fans set off flares and damaged the stadium.
