Celtic could be handed points deduction for next season as former official gives his take on situation
A former PGMOL chief believes the Scottish FA could come down hard on recently-crowned champions Celtic after a pitch invasion overshadowed the Scottish Premiership title decider against Hearts.
On Saturday, thousands of Celtic fans made their way onto the Celtic Park pitch, just moments after a 97th-minute goal from Callum Osmand secured the league title on a dramatic final day in Glasgow.
A number of supporters appeared to target Hearts players, who were ushered down the tunnel amid concerns for their safety.
In fact, Hearts have since confirmed that players and staff have reported "serious physical and verbal abuse" following scenes they called "deeply disturbing", "shameful" and "unacceptable".
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The Edinburgh-based club are also in contact with Police Scotland.
"We expect the strongest action possible to be taken by the footballing authorities in the interests of protecting the safety of players and supporters, and the integrity of our game," the club added.
Celtic have apologised to Hearts and say they will co-operate with police, as well as the SPFL, regarding an investigation into the matter.
A final verdict has yet to be reached but Keith Hackett, a former PGMOL chief and Premier League referee, believes a points deduction at the start of next season is more likely than a replay of the game.
“The Scottish FA will be carrying out a review fairly quickly, I’d have thought, of what took place," he told Football Insider.
“There is a series of challenges that they must find the answer to. The fans came onto the pitch when, for what they considered to be, the end of the game. Was it the end of the game?
“The general practice is to restart the game after a goal is scored. They’ve got to clarify if the game was formally ended, and how that conclusion was reached. Or was the incursion onto the pitch the deciding factor?
“If he didn’t blow the whistle, the Scottish FA have a difficult task. Are they going to issue a replay? It’s unlikely. A dozen and one will be on planes flying across the world."
Hackett added: “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.”
Hearts' statement on the events at Celtic Park in full
A club statement read: "Heart of Midlothian utterly condemns the shameful scenes at Celtic Park this afternoon which have, once again, embarrassed Scottish football.
"Reports of serious physical and verbal abuse towards our players and staff, both on the pitch and elsewhere, are deeply disturbing. We are investigating this fully and are in dialogue with Police Scotland.
"We will make no further comment at this time other than to say that it is completely unacceptable that our players and staff were put in that situation.
"Given the menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium, our entire staff had no alternative but to leave immediately, without undertaking post-match media duties. To our media partners, we apologise but the safety of our staff was our prime focus during these unacceptable scenes.
"The pitch invasion caused a chaotic end and nobody seemed to know whether or not the match had been brought to a finish. Our players were then denied the opportunity to thank our magnificent fans – sensational to a person – for their backing this afternoon and all season long.
"We expect the strongest action possible to be taken by the footballing authorities in the interests of protecting the safety of players and supporters, and the integrity of our game.
"This season has seen Hearts capture the imagination of football fans, not only in Scotland, but the world over. We pay tribute to Derek McInnes, his staff, the first team and the supporters, who have done the club proud this season."
The club added: "None of them deserved the disgraceful scenes that unfolded."
Jack Kenmare