Hearts ban fans who abused Motherwell striker
HEARTS have banned two supporters after Motherwell player Christian Mbulu was allegedly racially abused during Saturday’s Scottish Premiership clash at Tynecastle.
Defender Mbulu, who was an unused substitute, was allegedly targeted while warming up on the touchline.
Police Scotland announced on Saturday two people had been arrested after the game.
Hearts owner Ann Budge said: “This behaviour will not be tolerated.
“The individuals involved have already been identified and have received immediate and indefinite bans.
“I’m so very disappointed that instead of being able to enjoy a good victory and staying at the top end of the table I’m having to comment on the entirely unacceptable behaviour of a minority of supporters.”
Meanwhile, Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson insists there are plenty of positives to take from the narrow defeat.
The hosts won the match courtesy of Charles Dunne’s unfortunate own goal in a game that was fiercely contested but lacked quality.
Robinson was aggrieved a Curtis Main goal after seven minutes was ruled out after the striker was adjudged to have barged into defender Clevid Dikamona by ref Willie Collum.
However, after falling to a toothless defeat at Livingston last weekend before drawing with Celtic in midweek, Robinson insists he cannot be too disheartened by his team’s showing at Tynecastle.
He said: “There’s a manner to lose football matches and we didn’t do it against Livingston, but on Saturday we were excellent and sometimes you just can’t dictate the outcome when decisions go against you.
“We lacked the killer touch in the final third. We had a lot of possession, a few decent chances, but we have to look at ourselves again and we didn’t stop the cross for the goal.
“It was the only threat they had all afternoon. I take heart from the application and desire and quality from the players at a difficult place to come. But emotions are dictated by results.”
Hearts were expertly marshalled by captain Christophe Berra, who only returned a week earlier following four months out with a hamstring injury, and manager Craig Levein lavished praise on the Scotland international’s performance.
Levein, whose side remain three points adrift of leaders Celtic having won their first game in eight outings, said: “Christophe is a bit tired, as you can imagine after being out that period of time then playing three games a week.
“We didn’t plan on that but Jimmy Dunne got injured and that scuppered any plans I had to rest him.
“I would’ve had to if he’d insisted that he had a problem but he’s a warrior. And he seems to want to keep playing, he epitomised everything that everyone thinks he is on Saturday.
“He rolled his sleeves up defended manfully and I was really pleased for him.”
‘‘ This behaviour will not be tolerated. I’m so very disappointed