Hearts are to close a section of Tynecastle after last weekend’s disorder at the Edinburgh derby.
Following a series of incidents during the 2-1 win for Hibernian, a 19-year-old has been charged in connection with a hate crime and a 38-year-old man was arrested in connection with the use of racist language.
Another 19-year-old was arrested over a flare being thrown and a 16-year-old boy was arrested in connection with a coin being thrown.
3
A section of Tynecastle stadium is set to be closed off following the trouble in the Edinburgh derby last week
In a lengthy statement released on the club’s website, chairwoman Ann Budge stated that a part of the Wheatfield Stand would be closed for the final two home games of the season with around 200 supporters moved elsewhere in the ground.
The statement read: “At Tynecastle, we have worked hard over the last few seasons to strengthen our security processes and practices, and we continue to do so.
“Nonetheless, during the course of last Saturday’s derby against Hibernian, no less than seven pyrotechnics were discharged / thrown onto the pitch…four from the Hearts area and three from the Hibs stand.
“In addition, there were instances of coins being thrown, cups, some containing hot drinks, being thrown and even a coconut being thrown onto the pitch.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
“Every single instance could have resulted in injury to an individual and in the case of the pyrotechnics, this did result in damage to the pitch…a pitch which, with the financial support of our fans, we have recently put down at a cost of £1million.
“Why would our own fans want to damage this? It beggars belief!”
Budge described the alleged racial abuse of a Hibs player by a Hearts fan as “appalling” and added: “I am pleased to report that an individual has now been charged by Police Scotland in relation to this incident.
LIVE ON talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
- Slavia Prague vs Chelsea (Thursday, 8pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Southampton vs Wolves (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Manchester United vs West Ham (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
- Leeds vs Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Wigan vs Norwich (Sunday, 12pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (Sunday, 2:05pm) – talkSPORT
“Yes, I have also received reports of Hearts players being racially abused by Hibs ‘supporters’. Just because it happens both ways, in no way, condones it.
“I have also received reports of sectarian comments being made by Hearts supporters.
“On the day, thanks to CCTV footage, and indeed thanks to supporters reporting incidents of unacceptable behaviour, four Hearts supporters were ejected and three were arrested.
“Other matters are still being followed up with Police Scotland.
3
Hibs won the match but the game was marred by fan trouble
“I have said before that we will continue to take action to drive this behaviour out of Tynecastle Park…and I know that I have the support of all fair-minded Hearts supporters in our efforts to eradicate this behaviour.
“Since a number of the incidents mentioned above emanated from lower section G of the Wheatfield Stand, I have given instructions to close this section with immediate effect.
“Season ticket holders within this section will be offered seats elsewhere in the stadium for the remaining two games of the season.
“I apologise to any ‘innocents’ who are caught up in this. I want to stress that this is not something we do lightly.
LATEST SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP NEWS
“This will impact close to 200 season ticket holders and as such, will cost the club financially. We have already lost income by closing corner sections of the Roseburn Stand in recent games.
“That we are having to reduce available capacity at games – when we have worked so hard to increase our capacity through building our new stand – is nothing short of ludicrous.
“As ludicrous as having spent £1million on a state-of-the-art pitch, which some of our own fans are willing to risk destroying.
“To counter this appalling behaviour, I have already committed to spending another £100,000 in upgrading our CCTV system.
“This will be implemented during the close season. There are so many other things we could be doing with that money.”
3
Daryl Horgan scored a brace in the derby last weekend
The statement continued: “Our supporters have been magnificent in their financial backing of the club. We cannot sit back and allow a small group of mindless individuals undermine our achievements.
“Thanks to this kind of behaviour, the costs associated with providing a safe, secure and family-friendly environment for supporters to enjoy the game they love, are escalating.
“Please work with us to stamp this out. I would encourage all supporters to text us confidentially to report incidents of unacceptable behaviour on the Fan Reporting Service number, which can be found on the club website.
“Help us to protect the reputation we have fought so hard to rebuild.”
Plymouth Argyle SACK manager Derek Adams and Paul Wotton The heavy defeat saw the Pilgrims drop into the League One relegation zone and needing to beat Scunthorpe United in their final league
Tottenham transfer news: Carlo Ancelotti hints he wants
Zinedine Zidane is back in the Bernabeu hotseat with Real Madrid set for a serious rebuild this summer. Real Madrid transfer news LIVE: Mbappe, Pogba, Jovic and Bale latest | London Evening
Zidane NO esta Capacitado para Dirigir a Real Madrid? Toni
~ Tottenham transfer news: 'Christian Eriksen is NOT a priority signing for Real Madrid - Paul Pogba is,' talkSPORT told ~ Kenya Latest who you've just given a new deal to, and Luka Modric plus maybe Paul Pogba coming, Eriksen is not the kind of player you want to go for.
Tottenham transfer news: 'Christian Eriksen is NOT a priority
Chelsea fans laud on-loan youngster Reece James after rocket goal for Wigan; compare him to Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold Supporters think this man could have a big future at Stamford
Chelsea fans laud on-loan youngster Reece James after rocket
Former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has dropped a huge hint regarding the future of Blues star Eden Hazard amid reports the winger has agreed a deal with Real Madrid. The speculation
Eden Hazard Chelsea statement amid Real Madrid transfer talk
Eden Hazard will join up with one of his childhood heroes, Zinedine Zidane, at Real Madrid. He has won more trophies in England than Thierry Henry and scored more Premier League goals than Cristiano Ronaldo. So as Eden Hazard departs Chelsea for Real Madrid for a fee that could exceed £150m, how will he be remembered? Is he a true Premier
Eden Hazard: Chelsea forward BENCHED for final
Tottenham fan who left at half-time of Champions League
Real Madrid fans vote for top transfer signings with Hazard top and Pogba last EDEN HAZARD topped a poll in which Real Madrid fans were asked to pick the player they would most like to sign
Eden Hazard asked about Real Madrid transfer straight after
The opening match of the 2019 Women's World Cup is less than two weeks away and the final squad lists for each of the 24 teams participating have officially been announced. Team USA, who enters
FIFA Women's World Cup 2019: Five reasons why USWNT will
The Sky Sports touchline reporter was watching from a seat next to Jurgen Klopp when Salah netted a 25-yard thunderbolt to put Liverpool 2-0 up. The former Chelsea star sent Anfield wild with the
Mohamed Salah's best 11 goals for Liverpool - vote for your
Manchester United: How Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team could look
No comments:
Post a Comment