Edinburgh derby troublemakers branded ‘losers’ as one arrest made

Troublemakers at the Edinburgh derby have been described as “losers”, as one man has been arrested in connection with an assault on a linesman.

Hibernian manager Neil Lennon was struck in the face by a pound coin after Hearts player Clevid Dikamona had a stoppage-time goal ruled out for offside.

Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal was also floored by an apparent attack from a supporter during the goalless match at Tynecastle Park on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old wrote on Twitter: “Yesterday result was 0:0, but everybody knows, who the losers are…you punched me in the face, I was ok-no big deal, but feel sorry for your personal tragedies that force you to behave like this.

“Our kids are watching the games and I’m sure they can recognize their real heroes.”

Zlamal appeared to be struck by the arm of a fan in the Hibs end as he went to retrieve the ball from behind his goal, and missiles appeared to rain down as he got up and gestured in defiance.

Police Scotland described the incidents as “mindless acts of violence” and said officers are investigating.

The force confirmed a 25-year-old man has been arrested in relation to an alleged assault on an assistant referee during the game.

Lennon said: “I’m very, very angry. I’m fizzing about it.

“It’s disgraceful. I don’t blame the club – you can’t legislate for the hatred of some individuals or the badness.

“What possesses people to throw things on to a football pitch I will never know.

“I believe Zlamal was hit as well. It’s just ridiculous. We don’t defend that behaviour from our supporters as well. Hopefully both individuals will be singled out.

“I would like to meet the individual who threw the coin at me some day, because I am not happy about it at all.”

The Irishman was previously assaulted by a Hearts fan on the touchline when he was Celtic manager.

Hearts owner Ann Budge and Hibernian chief executive Leeann Dempster arranged to meet on Thursday to discuss the ugly scenes and the Tynecastle chairwoman pleaded for supporters to help identify culprits.

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The only thing we can do in a sense is retrospective and using CCTV to identify the individuals and asking our supporters – and this happened last night which is good – asking our supporters to speak up if they see something of this nature happening.

“Because the majority of supporters don’t want these things to happen and we need to encourage them to identify the individuals who are doing it.

“We just don’t want people who do it involved in football. It brings the whole game into disrepute.”

PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart said: “It is like Groundhog Day as it seems we are continually having to discuss and address issues like this happening at football grounds across the country.

“After last night’s incidents at Tynecastle, we stress again that any form of verbal abuse, violence or the throwing of objects at players and managers needs to be taken seriously and we trust that the authorities will take the appropriate action to ensure that this dangerous practice is stopped.

“The football pitch is a player’s place of work and it is not unreasonable for a player, like any other employee, to be able to work with the knowledge that their workplace is indeed a safe environment, free from violence and discrimination and that their health and safety is not at risk.”

Chief Inspector Murray Starkey, match commander, added: “Police Scotland condemn the mindless acts of violence which included missiles being thrown during last night’s Edinburgh derby.”