HEARTS have launched an internal investigation after video appeared to show one of their players livestreaming on Instagram while driving.
David Milinkovic, on loan to the club from Genoa, appeared to live stream to his fans after they were defeated 1-0 by Kilmarnock in the last game of the season.
The attacker has won the support of many fans after finishing his inaugural season with a combined 10 goals and assists, but the club are now investigating the potentially illegal act.
The 23-year-old appears to be sitting in the front, lefthand side of a vehicle and his eyes continually dart between the phone camera and the road ahead.
The RAC said yesterday the footballer appeared to driving while using his phone and urged Police Scotland to investigate the matter.
And now, Hearts have launched an internal investigation into the matter after the footage was brought to their attention.
A spokesman for the club said: “Heart of Midlothian strongly condemns any action that could result in dangerous driving.
“This incident is now an internal matter, and no further comment will be given at this stage.”
The 30-second clip was originally streamed on Milinkovic’s Instagram page but was also later circulated widely on social media.
The footage begins with Milinkovic, wearing a maroon hoodie, sitting in what may be the driver’s seat of a left hand drive car.
Looking into the camera he says: “Hey guys, thank you. Edinburgh is maroon. Come on!”
As the football star blasts music and sings along, he continues to look between the road and his phone, reading comments from fans begging him to stay at the club.
He can be heard saying: “Thank you. I hope, I hope I stay.”
Simon Williams, spokesman for the RAC, today claimed: “This shows a blatant disregard for the law and should be investigated by the police.
“With so many drivers still using their handheld mobile phones at the wheel we desperately need to make everyone recognise this is socially unacceptable as well as illegal.”
He alleged: “Instead, we have a high profile footballer live streaming while driving setting a shocking example to all his social media followers.
“He should go to BePhoneSmart.uk and pledge never to do this again and then encourage others to make the same commitment. The message everyone should understand by now is that using handheld phones at the wheel is against the law because it costs lives.”
Social media users seemed oblivious to the issue of whether or not the footballer was driving.
Etrain82 said: “You staying at Hearts??”
Andrew.evans.1_5 asked: “Please stay.”
And David_Roberts74 pleaded: “Come back.”
Milinkovic also took to Instagram on Sunday to pay thanks to manager Craig Levein and the club. In a lengthy post he wrote: “Thank you for everything @heartofmidlothianfc. For me Edinburgh will always be maroon.”
The footballer left Edinburgh on Monday and has now returned to France.
Police Scotland said they would only investigate if the video had been reported to them.
