Hearts and Hibernian punished by Scottish FA over Edinburgh derby bust-up

Hearts and Hibs have both been fined for failing to control their players and staff after an on-field clash in the last derby of the season.

Hearts have been fined £6,000, while Hibs have hit with a fine of £6,400. The Easter Road club were handed a greater punishment as they were cited for player misconduct the previous season. The fines have to be paid within 30 days.

Players and coaching staff from both sides clashed at full-time in May after the teams played out a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle, with match officials unable to keep them apart as tempers flared.

Hibs manager Lee Johnson, defender Rocky Bushiri, Hearts goalkeeper Ross Stewart and goalkeeping coach Paul Gallacher were all sent off by referee Don Robertson for their part in the stramash.

Bushiri and Stewart had already incurred automatic two-match bans after their red cards, while Johnson and Gallacher’s punishment was dealt with as part of the overall fine.

Hibs also complained after the final whistle that substitute Marijan Cabrajal had been struck by a Hearts supporter.

The Scottish FA brought disciplinary charges against both teams in the aftermath, and an independent disciplinary panel heard from both clubs before reaching a verdict on Thursday.

Both clubs were charged under SFA disciplinary rule 204, which states that all representatives of the club should behave properly.

It states: “All clubs and recognised football bodies shall procure that its officials, team staff, employees and players conduct themselves in an orderly fashion at all times during and/or after a match.

“In particular, clubs and recognised football bodies are responsible for ensuring that its officials, team staff, employees and players refrain from any one or a combination of the following; becoming involved in a confrontation; conduct that is likely to lead to or to exacerbate or prolong a hostile or argumentative situation with players and/or team staff from the opposing team and/or match officials; conduct that may otherwise
incite disorder.”

The clash between the teams came after another flashpoint when Hibs boss Johnson and Hearts then interim manager Steven Naismith went head to head on the touchline.

At his post-match media conference, Johnson admitted the two managers “don’t like each other very much” but said it was “not a problem”.

“I couldn’t even tell you [what it was about].” the Hibs manager said. “It was a classic ‘my dad’s bigger than your dad’ melee-type thing.

“It was a frustrating game in terms of the ebb and the flow because there was no flow. The time-wasting was quite embarrassing at times.

“It was a case of two managers who don’t like each other very much and that’s what started it.

“I’ll keep the hot water bottle that was thrown at me for winter!

“There was a bit of needle but it happens, technical areas are a passionate place. It’s not a problem, we move on. I’ve been a manager that long, you see it all in the technical area. It means nothing.”

Naismith said he couldn’t explain what had happened at the end of the game.

“I’m not sure to be honest, I was shaking hands and getting out of there, I wasn’t getting involved in anything,” he said.

“I know these situations can turn into things, especially in a derby with high emotions, but I was just buzzing to get the result and enjoy it with the fans.”