Hibs sack stadium announcer after Beatles song used to tease Hearts

Published on 13/11/2012 09:45

HIBERNIAN have sacked their stadium announcer after he played a Beatles song that teased city rivals Hearts over the financial worries that could see them go out of business within days.

The Easter Road club made the decision after some Hearts supporters took offence at the tongue-in-cheek airing of the song Taxman at half-time in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Dundee United. The match was broadcast live on Sky Sports.

The track was played in reference to Hearts’ struggles to save their club from the winding-up order issued by HMRC over an unpaid £450,000 PAYE, National Insurance and VAT bill.

A Hibs spokesman said the record had not been sanctioned to be aired by the club and added: “The stadium announcer’s contract has been terminated following a breach of conduct.”

However, the decision to sack the announcer has sparked a backlash on social media with a Twitter campaign calling for his reinstatement. Under the hashtag #justiceforwilliedocherty fans from a number of clubs have argued that Easter Road officials have overreacted to the playing of the song.