Derek McInnes was caught on microphone. (Image: Getty Images)
The SFA released VAR audio that contradicted Hearts’ claims, revealing that Derek McInnes was satisfied with the title-clinching defeat to Celtic being settled. Celtic supporters flooded the pitch as Callum Osmund scored in stoppage time to secure a 3-1 victory over Hearts and lift the Premiership trophy.
Tynecastle players were ushered through a tunnel to safety after reports of being “assaulted” and left the ground in their kits before the Hoops team celebrated their victory. It was unclear whether referee Don Robertson had blown his whistle to signal the end of the match, leading to speculation that the match had been abandoned.
However, in response to Hearts’ statement on Wednesday, the SFA has now released the VAR exchange and the timing of the incident showing the match had reached the 98th minute.
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The audio reveals this exchange.
VAR: “Don, this is Kevin (Clancy). I’m confirming that the goal has been called on the field.”
A fourth source said: “Blow the whistle. Hearts are happy to finish the Dons. Hearts are happy to finish too. Derek McInnes tells me he’s happy they can finish. They want the players sent off. Are you done yet?”
Don Robertson: “Okay, it’s over. Kevin, game’s over, okay?”
VAR: “We’re confirming that the match has finished and are watching some of the footage.”
Martin O’Neill had the last laugh as champion. (Image: Getty Images)
In a statement, the SFA said: “We take note of Heart of Midlothian’s statement yesterday and the accompanying letter signed by club chairman Callum Patterson. In the interest of transparency, we are happy to set the record straight.”
“Regarding the reference to an ‘early end to the match’, the Scottish FA’s Chief Governance Officer Gary Booth, Director of Referees William Collum and VAR Manager Martin Atkinson reviewed the audiovisual footage from the relevant period on Monday, at the club’s request, in the presence of Mr Patterson.
“Although it was the agreed intention that this meeting would take place in private, recent statements compel us to consider the public interest in providing an explanation and chronology.
“To that end, we are happy to release the relevant audiovisual footage. At that meeting, it was clear that match official Don Robertson took the correct action in ending the match.”
“We note that there is speculation regarding the blowing of the final whistle. The competition rules require the referee to signal the end of the match, but do not specify how that signal should be given.
“In the context of what happened, as evidenced by the footage and the Match Incident Report submitted to the Scottish Football Association, match officials clearly communicated that the match was finished, not abandoned.
“Furthermore, the game clock does not stop when a goal is scored. By the time the match referee confirmed the game was over, the clock had read 53.07 seconds (98.07 seconds), which was over the eight minutes of minimum overtime required, the video shows.”
“It was also clear from the audio that this decision was taken following a conversation with the Hearts head coach, who expressed concerns about player safety.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Article 5 of the IFAB Laws of the Game states that “the decision of the referee on the facts relevant to the play is final.”
“We fully support the decisive action taken by Don Robertson and his team to end the game.”
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