Riordan conduct is under scrutiny

THE Scottish Premier League will launch an investigation next week into an incident of "unacceptable conduct" at Tynecastle during the Edinburgh derby between Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian when several spectators came on to the pitch after Derek Riordan chose to celebrate scoring the only goal of the game in front of the home club's support.

Although all disciplinary matters, both on and off the field, were once dealt with by the Scottish Football Association, the SPL is now responsible for handling any spectator behaviour inside stadia which is either violent or disorderly.

Once the SPL receives the report from their match delegate, former Scotland manager Craig Brown, on Monday, they'll start the process of gathering further information about the pitch incursion by writing to both Hearts and Hibs. They'll also look at referee Steve Conroy's report and communicate with the police.

The SPL has not previously fined or punished any of its members for crowd misbehaviour, but that doesn't mean to say they won't take any action in this case. Depending on what the investigation reveals, the SPL have a range of sanctions at their disposal from deduction of points to fines.

There's no chance, mark you, the incident when several supporters came on to the pitch from Wheatfield stand and a coin was thrown at Hibs captain Ian Murray will be regarded as so severe that the question of deducting points could be raised.

When the SPL come to examine the evidence it's certain to be recognised that Riordan didn't help the situation by choosing not to celebrate his penalty with his own supporters – who sat in the Roseburn stand behind Marian Kello's goal – but ran across to glorify the goal in front of the Hearts fans sitting in the Wheatfield stand.

Hearts could be fined if the investigation finds match arrangements were negligent. But if there are extenuating circumstances and an element of provocation is recognised, then any action will be measured.

According to the SPL's own rules, the onus will fall on Hearts to demonstrate they couldn't have done any more than they did to prevent the outburst of misbehaviour. The SPL's handbook states: "It shall be for the club concerned to prove that it was not reasonably practicable to do more than was in fact done or (as the case may be) that there was no better practicable means than was in fact used to discharge such requirement."

It's also evident how Hearts themselves deal with the misconduct of a few miscreants will have a bearing on the SPL's reaction. On that count, the club have been pro-active. Yesterday, after talks with Lothian and Borders police, Hearts issued indefinite bans from Tynecastle to the two supporters who came on to the pitch.

Hearts managing director Campbell Ogilvie said: "We have acted quickly with the police to identify two supporters who entered the playing area during the game. We have now written to both individuals and they will receive immediate, indefinite bans from Hearts games. On no account will we tolerate any unacceptable conduct and we view Thursday night's incident in a very serious light.

"We have worked extremely hard to develop a stadium that is seen by many supporters as one of the best for atmosphere in the country and we will not allow the reputation of Hearts to be tarnished by individuals who disrespect this club." According to a spokesman for the SPL, it has deliberated on issues of spectator behaviour since last year.

"Obviously we're aware of the reports about what happened at Tynecastle," he said. "We now await the match delegate's report, which should arrive on Monday at the latest, and from there we write to the clubs involved to get more detail and give them the chance to answer any questions we may have. There will then be an internal review to see if there has been a potential breach of rules. Only then would the disciplinary process kick in. What we have to look at is this – what have the club done before, during and after the incident? Then the question is asked if the club could have done more."