Taylor's call to clubs in wake of Tynecastle coin shame

IAN RODGERS AND KENNETH STEPHEN

DAVID Taylor, the Scottish Football Association chief executive, has called on clubs to do everything in their power to protect players after Celtic goalkeeper Rab Douglas was struck by a coin during Sunday’s match with Hearts at Tynecastle.

Douglas was hit on the head by the missile which came from the notorious section N enclosure of the main stand at the Gorgie ground. A second coin also appeared to be thrown from the Wheatfield Stand in the direction of Celtic striker Chris Sutton.

Lothian and Borders Police detained a man who was later released due to a lack of evidence. But Taylor insists the governing body will do all in its power to help to root out those responsible for such incidents.

Taylor said: "That sort of crowd misbehaviour is something we need to look at very seriously indeed and the SFA will be looking at it. The clubs have the primary responsibility for the behaviour of their own crowds and match organisation, but, sometimes, you can’t stop idiots doing something like that.

"We need to support the courts in terms of sentencing and make sure all possible measures are taken by clubs so that the chances of this happening again are remote."

Hearts revealed yesterday that they were not prepared to let the matter lie, despite the police saying there was a lack of evidence. After studying CCTV camera footage late into Sunday evening, the club wants to speak with two men regarding Sunday’s events, one of whom is a season-ticket holder at Tynecastle.

Hearts are now appealing for fans who may have seen the incidents to come forward to help them gather sufficient evidence. Tom Purdie, Hearts’ security and safety officer, said: "We have been conducting our own internal enquiries and we know the people involved in both incidents. We are hoping decent-minded people who witnessed anything can help us out and we will be speaking to those involved."

The SFA is still waiting to examine the contents of referee Kenny Clark’s match report and will be writing to Hearts for their explanation, if the incidents are included. The matter may then go before the association’s disciplinary committee on 16 March.

Drew Herbertson, the SFA’s head of discipline, said: "We will have a look at the referee’s report. If the incidents are included, we will write to Hearts for their comments before the issue goes to the committee."

However, given the category A status of the match and the fact Hearts drafted in extra stewarding, it is likely the authorities will be convinced the club took all measures necessary to try and avoid such unsavoury incidents. A total of 28 people were ejected from the ground on Sunday.

Lex Gold, chairman of the Bank of Scotland Premierleague, warned of the damage to players’ eyesight which could be caused by throwing coins. He said: "It was a form of lunacy - throwing coins like that could really damage someone badly, it could damage their eyesight. It’s something that we need to stamp out.

"We have a very good record in terms of safety of players and it’s one that we’re very keen to protect. I would hope this isn’t something that’s going to become a problem. We agreed with Hearts and the SFA that the SFA will investigate the incident and they will form a judgment."

However, Celtic wing-back Didier Agathe believes there is little the authorities can do to prevent a repeat of the coin-throwing incident.

He said: "I didn’t see what happened myself, but it was mentioned after the game in the dressing room," said Agathe.

"It’s stupid, but there isn’t a lot you can do. Football is something that should bring people together, not divide them, so it’s disappointing to see something like that happen. It was only one person and, if you talk about him, then you give him importance that he doesn’t deserve."

The incident proved to be just one of a number of flash-points in a game which saw ten players booked. Celtic striker John Hartson was fortunate to escape with a yellow card after just two minutes as he appeared to elbow Hearts defender Andy Webster.

There was also a fans’ protest against Hearts chief executive Chris Robinson. Supporters called for him to leave the club in the wake of the controversial proposal to leave Tynecastle and become tenants of the Scottish Rugby Union at Murrayfield.

Robinson believes the move and subsequent sale of Tynecastle will help pay a £17.6million debt at the Edinburgh club. But supporters insist other options should be considered and that the club should not leave their Gorgie home.

Taken from the Scotsman