GLASGOW - Heart of Midlothian has called for the strongest possible action from football authorities after what it described as "shameful" and "menacing" scenes at Celtic Park, following a 3-1 defeat that decided the Scottish Premiership title.
Needing only a draw to secure their first league championship since 1960, Hearts collapsed in stoppage time as Celtic scored twice, the final goal coming in the last minute. The result triggered a pitch invasion by ecstatic home fans.
In a strongly worded statement, Hearts said its players and staff were subjected to serious physical and verbal abuse, forcing the entire traveling party to leave the stadium immediately, still in their match kit. Staff also skipped mandatory post-match media duties.
"Given the menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium, our entire staff had no alternative but to leave immediately," the club said. "It is completely unacceptable that our players and staff were put in that situation."
Police Scotland confirmed several arrests later in Glasgow as title celebrations spilled into the city center. Hearts now expects a full investigation and sanctions to protect player safety and the integrity of the game.