Hearts fans leaders refuse to slam jeers

Several of the club’s most prominent supporters today rounded on the minority who sullied Hearts’ name during the showpiece match against Celtic, which was beamed around the world by Sky television.

They demanded tough action against those who booed and jeered during the tribute. Six people were charged with sectarian aggravated breach of the peace following events at the match.

But today the secretary of the Federation of Hearts Supporters’ Clubs, John Borthwick, refused to make any comment on the conduct of the fans at yesterday’s match. "I have nothing to say about it," he said. Although the majority of Hearts fans observed

the minute’s silence, referee Stuart Dougal ended the tribute less than halfway through because of the noise from some sections.

Mr Borthwick’s response was a stark contrast with leading Heart supporters, who criticised the fans’ conduct as "a disgrace" and "embarrassment" and demanded tough action.

Former Hearts chairman Leslie Deans said those responsible for disturbing the minute’s silence should be traced and prosecuted.

"I was at the game and I heard the booing. These fans should be dealt with appropriately through the courts.

"In relation to the minute’s silence, it was regrettable that this happened but it would not be appropriate to hold the club responsible.

"No action should be taken against the club because it is not the club’s fault that a few people didn’t have the decency to observe a minute’s silence for the Pope."

Former lord provost Eric Milligan branded the fans’ behaviour an "embarrassment to everybody associated with Hearts football club".

He added: "It is also a disgrace to the Scottish Catholic community. The whole world was observing the minute’s silence following the death of the Pope and it is disgusting that these people had to ruin it. It is totally unacceptable.

"If Strathclyde Police bring charges against the people responsible, then they will have to answer the charges or face the consequences."

Senior city councillor and Hearts fan Brian Fallon added: "I’m disappointed and embarrassed for the club."

However, former vice chairman of the Federation of Hearts Supporters’ Club, Robin Beith, said the SFA had to take at least some responsibility for what happened.

"This type of situation does lend itself to people acting in an antisocial manner.

"The Pope is unrelated to football and the SFA should have known better than to have a minute’s silence - I think they were ill advised," he said.

"Are the 20,000 other [Celtic] fans who were singing the Republic of Ireland’s national anthem going to be arrested too?"

Hearts chief executive Phil Anderton apologised to Celtic and the Scottish Football Association. He said: "It is disturbing that some Hearts fans failed to see the significance of this occasion." Hearts had appealed to fans on Friday to respect the minute’s silence."

Last month the Scottish Executive announced it is planning to introduce English-style "banning orders" aimed at the small hard-core of people who "use football as an excuse to indulge in unacceptable violence and bigoted abuse" and so make life a misery for other fans.

Ministers believe the orders can help curb football-related violence, claiming they have been highly effective since being introduced in England and Wales 16 years ago. They say that, from 1992 to 2002, arrests for football-related offences down south fell by 30 per cent and attendance figures increased while arrests for racist chanting, missile throwing and violent and public order offences fell.

The orders would also apply to matches abroad involving the national side or Scottish teams, the Executive claiming that, following the extension of their application to overseas matches, there were only 53 arrests of English fans at Euro 2004, in contrast with 945 at Euro 2000 and 278 at the World Cup in France in 1998.

All Scottish clubs have now been asked for their opinions on the proposals which have been asked for by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland. Both Hearts and Hibs will no doubt pay careful attention to these proposals.