Safety concerns prevented cup presentation

PAUL KIDDIE

CONCERN over public safety was the reason Hearts were not presented with the Festival Cup after their win over arch rivals Hibs at Easter Road, it was confirmed today.

Scotland star Andy Webster’s first-half header was enough to give the Jambos victory in the inaugural competition on Saturday as Gorgie boss Craig Levein continued his recent impressive derby record against Bobby Williamson.

Despite the success, the Hearts players were unable to celebrate their cup win in the traditional manner, match-winner Webster only managing to get his hands on the trophy for the first time at a special presentation at Tynecastle yesterday.

It’s understood the winners were left somewhat bemused by the lack of a trophy presentation. However, Lothians and Borders Police today confirmed no such ceremony took place due to their fears over the safety of the public.

As is now customary at the end of derby clashes at Easter Road, the home fans were forced to remain behind while the visiting fans were ushered away from the stadium at full-time.

With the majority of the 10,000 plus crowd still inside the ground, match commander chief superintendent James Copeland felt it would therefore be inappropriate to present Hearts with the Festival Cup on the pitch.

"The fact is nobody had raised the possibility of a presentation until 20 minutes before the end of the game," said Lothians and Borders Police spokesman Dan Hewitt.

"It hadn’t been a violent match but there had been some niggle and it was decided solely in the interests of public safety not to create any level of risk.

"There is quite an elaborate dispersal policy in place at Easter Road for fans and the match commander decided it was in everybody’s interest to stick with it on Saturday."

Hearts security chief Tom Purdie admitted he could understand the logic behind the decision - which left many of the Gorgie faithful wondering what was the point of having silverware up for grabs in the first place - but he said the players were nevertheless left disappointed at missing out on the special occasion.

"It was disappointing for the team not to have been given the trophy on the field after their victory," said Purdie.

"But we are guided by the police match commander on such occasions and if there was a safety issue at Easter Road then we have to go along with whatever decision was made."

Hibs spokesman David Forsyth said: "The reason was solely connected to the safety side of things."

Taken from the Scotsman