Hearts make apology after penalty row

The aftermath of a stormy match meant an interesting first day at the office for Phil Anderton, the former chief executive of the SRU who has now found that a similar position at Hearts brings its own crises.

Anderton, 39, who takes over from Chris Robinson, had no comment to make on the incidents at the match, leaving a club apology to be made by George Foulkes, chairman.

The apology to linesman Andy Davis and referee Dallas was made on behalf of winger Saulius Mikoliunas, who was sent off late in the game.

The 20-year-old Lithuanian confronted Davis in a rage at his decision to award Rangers a stoppage-time penalty, from which Fernando Ricksen stepped up to secure a 2-1 victory for Rangers.

In a statement, Foulkes said: "Mikoliunas is an exceptional young man who is making his way in a new career in another country and he's made a terri-fic impact with the football staff at the club.

"His actions and manner of his approach to Mr Davis were totally out of character but were also totally unacceptable to the club."

Missiles were also thrown by fans, though Dallas and his fellow match officials were not struck by them. The episode, though, is set to become one more security headache for Hearts.

Dallas' report on the match, which the SFA will receive today, will make grim reading for the Edinburgh club. Dallas, who also sent off Rangers striker Dado Prso, will include in his report the throwing of missiles from Tynecastle's north enclosure, where irate Hearts fans were gathered.

The referee will also detail the barging by Mikoliunas of Davis, whose intervention in the second minute of stoppage time resulted in the Rangers penalty.

At the end of the match, Dallas picked up various objects, including coins and a lighter, and handed them to the police.

Davis, meanwhile, had required the protection of at least six stewards as he ran his line for the remaining minute of the match, as Hearts supporters behind him vented their spleen.

The north enclosure has been a security problem for Hearts, especially when Celtic or Rangers visit. Supporters have had to be ejected from this area and Hearts even closed off a section of the enclosure which had raised particular concerns over bad behaviour.

"For such a match the referee would normally report any rele-vant fact which he deemed worthy of inclusion," said an SFA spokesman last night.

It seems the Dallas report, and any possible repercussions, will be discussed by the SFA's disciplinary committee on March 15.

Dallas' report will also question the accuracy of Hearts manager John Robertson's version of events after the game.

Robertson had claimed that he was unable to get an explanation from the assistant referee as to why the Rangers penalty had been awarded. It is now understood, however, that Davis spoke to Robertson and explained exactly why he brought Lee Miller's challenge on Sotirios Kyrgiakos to the attention of Dallas.

Mikoliunas, as well as barging Davis, for which he was red carded, also swore at Dallas. The Lithuanian looks set to be in even deeper trouble.

Taken from the Herald