November 1 – Authorities in Scotland have intervened after Hibernian manager Neil Lennon was struck by a coin thrown from the crowd in the Edinburgh derby at high-flying Hearts on Wednesday.
The incident happened as Lennon appeared to celebrate a stoppage-time winner for Hearts being disallowed.
Hearts keeper Zdenek Zlamal was also “punched” by a fan while both assistant referees, Frank Connor and David McGeachie, were struck by objects.
“It’s unsavoury to say the least. It’s unacceptable,” Lennon said. “People will say I was winding the crowd up; I wasn’t. I was just giving a bit back for the abuse I was taking for 90 minutes.”
“It stung me; it is quite sore. I don’t know where he has thrown it from, but it is a good shot. It came out of nowhere. I am furious about it, to be honest.”
Lennon also said he hoped the supporter who punched Zlamal would be “singled out, banned and arrested”.
The match commander, Ch Insp Murray Starkey, said: “Police Scotland condemn the mindless acts of violence including missiles being thrown during last night’s Edinburgh derby. I can confirm we are investigating two separate incidents involving the Hearts goalkeeper and the Hibernian manager during the match. A 25-year-old-man has been arrested and charged for an assault involving the assistant referee. A total of five arrests have been made during the evening. Anyone who witnessed these mindless acts should contact the police on 101.”
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