Celtic vs Hearts ‘match abandoned’ latest as new evidence submitted by referee | Football | Sport

Referee Don Robertson has reportedly informed the SPFL that he did blow the final whistle during the chaotic closing moments of Celtic’s title-clinching victory over Hearts. That appears set to extinguish two possibilities that could have kept the Jambos’ title aspirations alive in extraordinary circumstances, even after the league campaign had concluded.

Martin O’Neill guided the Hoops to a fifth consecutive title with a 3-1 victory, with Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand netting the crucial goals late on. Wild scenes unfolded before the final whistle after substitute Osmand netted the third goal deep into added time to wrap up the win. That triggered a pitch invasion by home supporters.

The Hearts players were shepherded down the tunnel to safety amid claims they had been assaulted. They subsequently left the stadium, still in their kits, before the Celtic squad celebrated being crowned champions.

Considerable confusion arose over whether Robertson had blown his whistle to signal the end of the contest, with O’Neill even conceding he was not entirely sure himself.

FIFA regulations stipulate that, should a fixture be unable to reach its conclusion due to a pitch invasion, the match may be replayed or a forfeit victory awarded to the opposing side. However, those options now seem to have been ruled out, with The Celtic Way reporting that the official in charge informed SPFL delegates that the final whistle had been sounded at Celtic Park.

The Athletic also states that Hearts were told by match officials “that the game was ended normally amid Celtic pitch invasion.” Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett supported Robertson’s decision to end the match, despite O’Neill disclosing he was informed by the fourth official that there was “about a minute to go” in the game following Osmand’s strike.

He referenced IFAB Law 5, which designates the referee as the sole timekeeper of the fixture and grants the referee complete authority to uphold the laws of the game. Writing on X, Hackett said: “Law 5 supports the referee because he is the sole timekeeper. The ending was chaotic and unacceptable.

“The referee was frankly left with no other outcome other than to call time in the interest of the safety of the players and officials.”

Hearts have issued a statement regarding the scenes, describing them as “shameful” and calling for “the strongest possible action” from authorities.

Former Hearts player Ryan Stevenson maintained “a line had been crossed” at Celtic Park, telling Sportscene: “You understand the elation and you understand some fans at some stage getting on the pitch, as much as we don’t like to see it.

“But there is a line. If players are standing there and players are intimidating them, or getting up close and personal to them, you can’t do that. There has to be a line that we know that we do not cross, and unfortunately I do think we crosses it today.”