Latest Hearts statement 20th may 26

[HMFC-1874]

Club Statement

20 May 2026

Heart of Midlothian Football Club would once again like to thank our incredible supporters for their magnificent backing throughout this season, and to provide an update in relation to the events which unfolded at Celtic Park on Saturday.

 

As previously noted, the Club is investigating events before, during and after the match, and will offer Police Scotland our full support as they continue with their enquiries.

 

We have also written to the SFA and SPFL setting out our observations and questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the premature ending of the match, and expressing our concern that a troubling precedent has been set whereby a pitch invasion can effectively determine the duration of a football match, rather than the match officials.  We have asked them for a prompt response to the points we have raised.

 

The incursion of spectators onto the field of play must never be condoned under any circumstances, and the seriousness of the potential consequences must be fully understood by supporters and clubs alike.

 

We are aware of highly irresponsible comments made publicly this week, which appear to seek to defend those who entered the pitch on Saturday and undermine the gravity of the situation. Those remarks carry dangerous implications, and we call upon the football authorities to ensure that this matter is addressed with the seriousness it demands, and with the full cooperation of all involved.

 

This has been an excellent season for Heart of Midlothian. However, it represents only the very beginning of our plans for long-term sustained success. We look ahead to next season with confidence, supported as ever by the exceptional backing of our fans, sponsors and partners.

 

Source: https://www.heartsfc.co.uk/blogs/news/club-statement-1

 

[El Prez]

There's a ****ing dig at MoN.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Happy with that.

[Scott980612]

Dig at Martin O’Neill and his stupid views on Talksport 

 

Hearts right to call it out. 
 
Let’s see what comes of this 

[DxB Hearts]

Hate to break it to people who are holding any hope we're handed the league but that doesn't sound like we're pushing for it. Seems like we're trying to hammer Celtic for the pitch invasion/safety issue more than anything.

 

Loving the dig at O'Neill. Wee prick that he is.

[AC Mallin_51]

If it’s true we have the audio and this statement is very much leaning towards the game being finished by the spectator’s and not the officials, it’s pointing towards the club are fairly confident that the match has not been ended correctly and are giving the SPFL & SFA a chance to shed some light on this or perhaps even better, catch them out on a further lie 

[davie1980]

I like this bit, a lot

 

"We are aware of highly irresponsible comments made publicly this week, which appear to seek to defend those who entered the pitch on Saturday and undermine the gravity of the situation. Those remarks carry dangerous implications, and we call upon the football authorities to ensure that this matter is addressed with the seriousness it demands, and with the full cooperation of all involved."

[RudiSkacelsLeftPeg]

Brilliant Hearts!!!!

 

Must be something in this. What a ****ing club. 

[HMFC-1874]

Just now, AC Mallin_51 said:

If it’s true we have the audio and this statement is very much leaning towards the game being finished by the spectator’s and not the officials, it’s pointing towards the club are fairly confident that the match has not been ended correctly and are giving the SPFL & SFA a chance to shed some light on this or perhaps even better, catch them out on a further lie 

What could you see as the outcome if true what you say?

[MoncurMacdonaldMercer]

good statement ✔️ 

 

[Scott980612]

1 minute ago, DxB Hearts said:

Hate to break it to people who are holding any hope we're handed the league but that doesn't sound like we're pushing for it. Seems like we're trying to hammer Celtic for the pitch invasion/safety issue more than anything.

 

Loving the dig at O'Neill. Wee prick that he is.

 
That gets my support. 
 
Celtic should rightly be punished for what happened , whether it’s a significant fine , points deduction for next year or selected games behind closed doors 

 

Only the latter 2 will have any chance of preventing this happening again. 
   
I want to see Celtic hammered for this 

[AC Mallin_51]

Just now, HMFC-1874 said:

What could you see as the outcome if true what you say?

I really, really don’t know. Sheer speculation. Do we even have the audio? Just thinking if we do and we’ve heard it but have chosen to more or less put forward in that statement that we believe the game was ended prematurely, it tells me there must be something in it. Perhaps just trying to make the sweat but who knows. The outcome will likely be nothing. It’s Celtic at the end of the day, they’ll likely come out and condemn our statement or something 

[Swimmer]

A couple of things from me

 

1. Very balanced statement and well considered

2. Excellent dig at MoN

3. Leaving the door open for challenging the 'Abandonment' of the game but not saying directly

 

Let's not forget the furry that ensued when Neil Lennon had a coin thrown at him and one person coming into the dug-outs to 'attack' him and yet hundreds of fans coming on to the pitch with some of our players being assaulted and not a peep! Tells you everything you need to know about how Celtic (Always cheated, never defeated) FC are treated differently

[davie1980]

2 minutes ago, DxB Hearts said:

Hate to break it to people who are holding any hope we're handed the league but that doesn't sound like we're pushing for it. Seems like we're trying to hammer Celtic for the pitch invasion/safety issue more than anything.

 

Loving the dig at O'Neill. Wee prick that he is.

 

Hate to break it to you. You don't have a clue where they are going with that.

 

They are investigating and questioning and making their concerns clear.

 

It says nothing about their expected outcomes whether that is punishment for Celtic, a change of rules, a change to the result or otherwise.

[DarthVodka]

I wouldn’t expect that anyone at the club expects the trophy to appear via DHL at McLeod st at anytime. 

 

rightfully calling out the ‘let’s make up the rules to suit what we want’ agenda that happened on sat 

Edited May 20 by DarthVodka

[The Mazy Run]

GIRUY "MON"

[Victorian]

Pretty good.   Highlights O'Neil's rambling twattery.   Puts the authorities on the spot to provide their version of events (no doubt to be compared to whatever we already know).   

[The Mazy Run]

Investigating events "before" the match.

 

Like those events at Fir Park, one wonders ?

[hmfc1984]

6 minutes ago, DxB Hearts said:

Hate to break it to people who are holding any hope we're handed the league but that doesn't sound like we're pushing for it. Seems like we're trying to hammer Celtic for the pitch invasion/safety issue more than anything.

 

Loving the dig at O'Neill. Wee prick that he is.

I don't think you could deduce that from that statement. It literally says they are seeking information on the premature end to the match. 

[Carter]

Martin O'Neill is a horrible individual. Thought he was going on TalkSport to be heralded by White and Jordan and instead showed himself up for exactly what he is. A classless piece of shit pandering to the most vile group of supporters you'll ever encounter. 

 

He's severely damaged the persona he's tried for so long to present in public. A rancid hate filled piece of shit. 

Edited May 20 by Carter

[DarthVodka]

‘the Club is investigating events before’

 

are we talking about Fir Park here? Or did something else happen?

[DxB Hearts]

Just now, davie1980 said:

 

Hate to break it to you. You don't have a clue where they are going with that.

 

They are investigating and questioning and making their concerns clear.

 

It says nothing about their expected outcomes whether that is punishment for Celtic, a change of rules, a change to the result or otherwise.

It’s all interpretation isn’t it.

I think if we were genuinely thinking that the pitch invasion cost us the league the statement would be a heck of a lot stronger than that. We’d be shouting from the rooftops. 
 

For what it’s worth I like the statement, it’s not hyperbolic, it’s firm and measured. 
 

Makes O’Neill look like a tit too. 

[OTT]

Just now, Scott980612 said:

 
That gets my support. 
 
Celtic should rightly be punished for what happened , whether it’s a significant fine , points deduction for next year or selected games behind closed doors 

 

Only the latter 2 will have any chance of preventing this happening again. 
   
I want to see Celtic hammered for this 

 

I know its unlikely to happen, but the only punishment that actually sends a message is a 3 point deduction. 

 

Anything less is barely a slap on the wrist IMO. A sporting penalty is required, if it costs them the league title, well that is what they get for their behaviour. 

 

I do hope a full stadium closure in our games against them next season is on the table though. What our players were subjected to was beyond disgraceful, likewise the abuse our fans received when entering and leaving the ground. 

 

I've been in pubs with Aberdeen & Hearts fans, I've seen Falkirk, Motherwell and many other fans mixing with Hearts fans on Gorgie road and there has been ZERO issues. 

 

The idea that this sort of aggressive and intimidating behaviour is condoned by our governing body is disgusting. 

[ShedBoy]

It looks like ‘that’ll be that’ to me.

 

See you in July 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻

[Darth Sidious]

SPFL and SFA have probably shredded the requests or sent them to the junk folder.  No chance they will do anything.

[Dazo]

2 minutes ago, Victorian said:

Pretty good.   Highlights O'Neil's rambling twattery.   Puts the authorities on the spot to provide their version of events (no doubt to be compared to whatever we already know).   

Yep, looks like a poke at the spfl/sfa to get a response so we can tally up the stories to what actually happened. 

[The Real Maroonblood]

4 minutes ago, DxB Hearts said:

Hate to break it to people who are holding any hope we're handed the league but that doesn't sound like we're pushing for it. Seems like we're trying to hammer Celtic for the pitch invasion/safety issue more than anything.

 

Loving the dig at O'Neill. Wee prick that he is.

I would rather they ask questions about O’Neil meeting Collum and the disgraceful refereeing decisions in the final few games.

To me that takes precedent to over the pitch invasion fiasco which will have to be addressed as well.

[stuart500]

From now on Celtic should be referred to as the sham-pions.

 

Never let them forget.

 

 

[XB52]

We know we're never going to have the result overturned but that's a great statement, especially the dig at MoN

[jamborod]

I think that Hearts are playing an excellent hand here. The one thing they’re emphasizing in all their communications - and in Tony Bloom’s TalkSport interview - is that the game was NOT ended by the referee. The SPFL and Celtic have gone on record as saying it was. The evidence - from my point of view and many others - is that it wasn’t. 
 

As we all know, once you uncover a lie and start pulling at it, it’s amazing how quickly things unravel. 

[Gambo]

Great statement.

 

Asking the right questions.

 

Great dig at Martin O’Neill.

[WorldChampions1902]

3 minutes ago, The Mazy Run said:

Investigating events "before" the match.

 

Like those events at Fir Park, one wonders ?

My immediate thoughts too! There’s a chance we’re going “full tonto”.

[Scott980612]

Just now, OTT said:

 

I know its unlikely to happen, but the only punishment that actually sends a message is a 3 point deduction. 

 

Anything less is barely a slap on the wrist IMO. A sporting penalty is required, if it costs them the league title, well that is what they get for their behaviour. 

 

I do hope a full stadium closure in our games against them next season is on the table though. What our players were subjected to was beyond disgraceful, likewise the abuse our fans received when entering and leaving the ground. 

 

I've been in pubs with Aberdeen & Hearts fans, I've seen Falkirk, Motherwell and many other fans mixing with Hearts fans on Gorgie road and there has been ZERO issues. 

 

The idea that this sort of aggressive and intimidating behaviour is condoned by our governing body is disgusting. 

I agree 👍 

 

The team should suffer because of the actions of their fanbase.  
  
A slap on the wrist ( fine or deferred point deduction) .. doesn’t do it justice 
 
It’s not been a one off , they are repeat offenders  

 
The punishment should fit the crime. 
 
point deduction due to failing to ensure player safety 

[August Landmesser]

2 minutes ago, DarthVodka said:

‘the Club is investigating events before’

 

are we talking about Fir Park here? Or did something else happen?

I think just the general atmosphere in and around Celtic Park on the day, I heard a few stories about Hearts fans experiences on their way into the ground, and presumably when our players arrived. Ensuring the scope of an investigation is as wide as reasonably possible 

[Gregorski]

3 minutes ago, DarthVodka said:

‘the Club is investigating events before’

 

are we talking about Fir Park here? Or did something else happen?

I took that to mean the lead up to the game on the day but could be wrong.

[hughesie27]

1 minute ago, jamborod said:

I think that Hearts are playing an excellent hand here. The one thing they’re emphasizing in all their communications - and in Tony Bloom’s TalkSport interview - is that the game was NOT ended by the referee. The SPFL and Celtic have gone on record as saying it was. The evidence - from my point of view and many others - is that it wasn’t. 
 

As we all know, once you uncover a lie and start pulling at it, it’s amazing how quickly things unravel. 

That's not what Bloom said. He said the fans were on the pitch before the full time whistle. He offered 0 comment on when or how the game was ended. And neither have Hearts.

 

[DxB Hearts]

Just now, The Real Maroonblood said:

I would rather they ask questions about O’Neil meeting Collum and the disgraceful refereeing decisions in the final few games.

To me that takes precedent to over the pitch invasion fiasco which will have to be addressed as well.

I’ve said it on other threads, there’s two things here and they’re separate for me:

1. Bad, inconsistent and biased refereeing that cost us the league

2. Celtic fans continuing to be arseholes and never getting punished when they should

 

We should be hammering both. No idea how you fix number 1. Number 2 can be fixed via closing Celtic park to home fans for several games. 

[Don Dannie]

 ✔️ all the box’s 

[Dazo]

Just now, WorldChampions1902 said:

My immediate thoughts too! There’s a chance we’re going “full tonto”.

Nah I think it’s about this game. 

[The Mazy Run]

Its measured

Gives us the comfort that we're looking at events.

Puts ball in SFA / SPFL court to respond to this point 

 

"setting out our observations and questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the premature ending of the match"

 

Which obviously clearly suggest the match has ended before the allocated time and I suspect explores the point of game abandonment.

 

More to come here 

[jackal]

On sky news now

 

[Ron Burgundy]

3 minutes ago, jamborod said:

I think that Hearts are playing an excellent hand here. The one thing they’re emphasizing in all their communications - and in Tony Bloom’s TalkSport interview - is that the game was NOT ended by the referee. The SPFL and Celtic have gone on record as saying it was. The evidence - from my point of view and many others - is that it wasn’t. 
 

As we all know, once you uncover a lie and start pulling at it, it’s amazing how quickly things unravel. 

Yip, both that statement and Bloom's comments are evidence enough that Hearts think the game was not completed.

[Gorgiewave]

12 minutes ago, DxB Hearts said:

Hate to break it to people who are holding any hope we're handed the league but that doesn't sound like we're pushing for it. Seems like we're trying to hammer Celtic for the pitch invasion/safety issue more than anything.

 

Loving the dig at O'Neill. Wee prick that he is.

"We have also written to the SFA and SPFL setting out our observations and questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the premature ending of the match, and expressing our concern that a troubling precedent has been set whereby a pitch invasion can effectively determine the duration of a football match, rather than the match officials.  We have asked them for a prompt response to the points we have raised."

 

Perhaps we/Hearts won't know whether there's anything to pursue until we have a response from the SFA and SPFL.

[RENE]

12 minutes ago, DxB Hearts said:

Hate to break it to people who are holding any hope we're handed the league but that doesn't sound like we're pushing for it. Seems like we're trying to hammer Celtic for the pitch invasion/safety issue more than anything.

 

Loving the dig at O'Neill. Wee prick that he is.

You seem to be missing the point abou 'premature ending to the match'

[SIWYPod]

Don't expect the whole match abandonment stuff to go anywhere unfortunately, but am a huge fan of the dig at Martin O'Neill for his remarks.  There was absolutely no need for him to comment further, nor should he - if there is an ongoing investigation then his remarks simply add fuel to an already pretty big fire. 

 

The SFA/SPFL have no choice but to punish Celtic for this - they won't want to - and that's why we need to be like a dog with a bone with it.  

[Gimme an H...]

5 minutes ago, ShedBoy said:

It looks like ‘that’ll be that’ to me.

 

See you in July 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻

How do you read that statement and come to that conclusion?

[WorldChampions1902]

1 minute ago, Dazo said:

Nah I think it’s about this game. 

So what’s the clubs ‘beef’ about events “before” Saturdays game?

[jackal]

Statement is enough to let everyone know its not finished yet imo.

[The Mazy Run]

Just now, WorldChampions1902 said:

So what’s the clubs ‘beef’ about events “before” Saturdays game?

It could be to do with the scheduling of the match in the first place I guess

[Dazo]

Just now, WorldChampions1902 said:

So what’s the clubs ‘beef’ about events “before” Saturdays game?

Probably the way supporters and supporters layers were treated getting into Celtic park. I’d view this as just adding stuff to the complaint to put a bit more weight onto people’s necks.