• Scottish Premier League

Authorities probe Lennon attack incident

Scottish football authorities have launched an investigation into the events at Tynecastle on Wednesday when a supporter emerged from the crowd and attempted to attack Celtic manager Neil Lennon.

Lennon's assistant Johan Mjallby has described it as a "dark day" for Scottish football, with a 26-year-old man due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday in connection with the incident.

The man attempted to get to Lennon shortly after Gary Hooper had put Celtic 2-0 ahead against Hearts. He was knocked off balance by Bhoys coach Alan Thompson, before being pinned to the ground and then marched down the tunnel and subsequently arrested by police.

The incident has been widely condemned and Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan and his Scottish Premier League counterpart Neil Doncaster will now meet to discuss how it occurred.

Regan said: "Clearly this kind of behaviour from supporters is wholly unacceptable.

"The safety of players, club officials and match officials is paramount on or around the field of play, and this clear breach of security is a matter I will be discussing with SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster."

Doncaster added: "The SPL deplores the actions of the individual involved. This type of behaviour has no place in Scottish football.

"The SPL will undertake a full investigation and will be reviewing reports from the SPL match delegate, match officials, the police and the clubs."

It is the latest incident to involve Lennon in a season in which he has had bullets sent to him in the post and a parcel bomb intercepted.

Two men have been detained by police in connection with an investigation into parcel bombs sent to Lennon and to two high-profile supporters of the club.

The men, aged 41 and 43, were detained under the Explosives Substances Act 1883 after officers raided a number of properties in Kilwinning, Ayrshire.

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