Source: Team_Talk
Ref plays down Riordan protection
Hibernian striker Riordan was celebrating scoring what proved the only goal of the game from the penalty spot at Tynecastle when a number of Jambos supporters rushed onto the pitch.[LNB]Robert Wyllie, 16, from Kirkcaldy, came within feet of Riordan but failed to reach him after Conway put himself between them.[LNB]The official insisted he acted out of pure instinct, saying on STV: "We're mic'd up in these games and the other officials shouted at me, 'They're behind you'.[LNB]"And obviously I thought, 'Well, who's behind me? All the players are in front.[LNB]"That's when I turned round and there were a couple of guys on the pitch.[LNB]"Thankfully, nothing did happen but it was just an automatic reaction to try to stop any further hassle happening."[LNB]Wyllie was on Friday one of two fans handed lifetime bans by Hearts, while he was also fined £400 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after admitting breaching the peace.[LNB]Robert Philips, 25, was also banned from Tynecastle indefinitely.[LNB]Philips, from Edinburgh, will be sentenced on May 29 after admitting the same charge at the city's district court.[LNB]Hearts face action from the Scottish Premier League following the incident during their 1-0 defeat but the club began their own probe in conjunction with police on Friday morning.[LNB]Managing director Campbell Ogilvie said: "We have acted quickly with the police to identify two supporters who entered the playing area during the game.[LNB]"We have now written to both individuals and they will receive immediate, indefinite bans from Hearts games.[LNB]"On no account will we tolerate any unacceptable conduct.[LNB]"We have worked extremely hard to develop a stadium that is seen by many supporters as one of the best for atmosphere in the country and we will not allow the reputation of Hearts to be tarnished by individuals who disrespect this club."[LNB]Hibs defender Ian Murray told team-mates he had been struck by a coin thrown from the Wheatfield Stand as he celebrated with Riordan.[LNB]As well as the two arrests, 15 people were ejected from the stadium by police officers and stewards.[LNB]The flashpoint following Riordan's 79th-minute goal was not the only unsavoury incident of the night.[LNB]Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen complained to a police officer about receiving "quite a mouthful" of abuse from fans behind his dugout.[LNB]And midfielder Ross Chisholm later accused Hearts striker Christian Nade of "assaulting" him after the final whistle.[LNB]The SPL said they would investigate the trouble once they had received the report from their match delegate, former Scotland manager Craig Brown.[LNB]A spokesman said: "The first step for us is to review our match delegate's report from the game.[LNB]"From there, we will be in touch with both clubs to investigate further."[LNB][LNB]
