BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
LEEANN Dempster has warned Hibernian supporters ‘in the strongest terms’ that they must behave following the Scottish Cup final disorder.
The Easter Road chief executive has written to the club’s fans as investigations into the post-match violence continue.
The cup winners have already dished out bans, some for life, to those found to have been involved in ‘unacceptable conduct’ following the victory over Rangers at Hampden last month.
Dempster has vowed that others will be identified and has emphasised that supporters must steer clear of any further trouble if they are to avoid fresh disciplinary action being taken against the club.
In her correspondence, she said: “I am writing to all supporters who bought tickets through Hibernian FC for the recent Scottish Cup final to re-emphasise in the strongest terms the need for supporters to refrain from unacceptable conduct and, in particular, from acting in a violent or disorderly manner; including by entering on to the pitch during or after any match.
“The club understands that supporters were overjoyed to win the Scottish Cup but it is vital that you, as a supporter of the club, recognise that anyone leaving their seat and going on to the pitch is a serious matter, is unacceptable, amounts to disorder and places those on the pitch and others at risk.
“The club is in the process of identifying those who committed violent and/or disorderly acts and will apply a proportionate sanction to those identified.
“Several supporters have already received life or indefinite bans from Easter Road and from purchasing match tickets and other benefits as a result of their conduct during the pitch incursion at Hampden on May 21st.
“Any pitch incursion has the potential to result in more serious disorder and violent confrontations.
“The club is placed at risk of action by the football authorities by all such actions and urges all supporters to respect the rules around unacceptable conduct, and to take personal responsibility for their own behaviour at matches.”
