PAT NEVIN has apologised for erroneous accusations that Celtic fans had punched Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland after the Hoops’ 3-1 title-winning triumph at Parkhead on May 16.
The BBC has also upheld complaints over their media pundit after his claims that “two or three” supporters attacked the former Tynecastle striker and described the scenes as “sickening” and “unacceptable”.
The former Scotland international forward was part of the BBC Radio 5 Live commentary team for the crucial confrontation with Derek McInnes’ side a point ahead at the kick-off.
Goals from Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand made sure the crown remained in the Celtic trophy room for the sixth successive year and the fourteenth time in 15 seasons.
GAME OVER…Lawrence Shankland with Celtic stewards after the final whistle at Parkhead on May 13 following Celtic’s 3-1 title-clinching victory over Hearts.
Unfortunately, in the euphoria that engulfed the stadium, hundreds of home fans raced onto the pitch as soon as referee Don Robertson signalled the end of the game.
The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit launched an investigation into the 63-year-old pundit’s comments following complaints from listeners that his observations were totally inaccurate.
They have now found that Nevin made an “honest error”, but admit his remarks breached the BBC’s standards on accuracy.
The former Clyde, Chelsea and Everton winger issued an apology in a sports column he writes for the BBC. He said: “I made a mistake in a commentary at the end of the last game of the Scottish season.
“From my angle in the gantry I thought I saw a punch thrown, but it appears it was a confrontation or maybe just goading from one of the hundreds of Celtic fans who invaded the pitch just before the end of the game.
“Goading is not physical violence and I will take it on the chin, the way the Hearts player probably didn’t. My apologies to those offended.”
As hysterical claims reached absurd levels, I wrote in this column that there was absolutely no evidence that such incidents had occurred and reminded the loudmouth detractors about the burden of proof.
CROWNING GLORY…Celtic boss Martin O’Neill with the Premiership silverware after the extraordinary climax to last season.
In the midst of the fall-out, Tony Bloom, with a 29 per cent stake in the Edinburgh club, surfaced to throw in his ten million pounds’ worth and inform talkSPORT listeners that TWO Hearts players had been assaulted at the conclusion of the game.
After four days of consideration, Bloom stated: “Well, the final whistle hadn’t gone so no supporter should be on the pitch. The Hearts players were in danger, one or two got assaulted. It’s completely unacceptable behaviour.”
Now that the BBC has set the record straight and Neven has apologised, can we expect a retraction from the Hearts chief?
I’m not holding my breath.
ALEX GORDON
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