Union says members must feel safe at work

repeat of Wednesday’s crowd issues could see the games being brought forward in the future.

Coins and keys were used as projectiles at Tynecastle, with several players being pelted and others narrowly avoiding being hit on a night when poisonous emotions threatened to boil over.

The attack on playing staff, so soon after Hearts defender Jimmy Dunne was attacked by an Aberdeen fan in a league fixture, prompted calls from the players’ union for robust action.

PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart likened the events to Groundhog Day and added: “It is of paramount importance that something is done before someone is seriously hurt or maimed.

“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.”

Scottish Football Association chief executive Ian Maxwell said that everyone involved in football had a responsibility to drive such actions out of the game.

He said: “In addition to the well-documented incidents that saw Neil Lennon and Zdenek Zlamal left on the receiving end of cowardly attacks from the stands, I am sorry to confirm that two of our match officials were also struck by objects.”

The SPFL, which has responsibility for crowd behaviour at league games, stated it would work closely with police and both clubs. Premier Sports 1, 7:35pm

An Edinburgh side shorn of their Scotland men in Pro14 action.

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