Tony Bloom has claimed that Hearts players were assaulted in their season closer against Celtic.
He has reflected on a “devastating weekend” in an interview with Jim White at Brighton’s end of season players’ awards ceremony.
Bloom was initially ridiculed for saying he would be “extremely disappointed” if Hearts didn’t win a Scottish Premiership title within a decade of his investment, but they ended up at the top of the league for much of this season.
However, a dramatic final day which saw Celtic snatch the title has left the English entrepreneur gutted.
Celtic’s official statement on the pitch invasion was far more measured than Hearts.
No hysteria, just balance. Thoughts on this 👇
Tony Bloom: No Celtic fans should’ve been on the pitch
Asked by White on talkSPORT about the events on the final day, Bloom said: “Well, the final whistle hadn’t gone, so no supporters should be on the pitch.
“The Hearts players were in danger, one or two got assaulted.
READ MORE: Callum McGregor’s Celtic future ‘not an open-and-shut case’ as Saudi question answered
“It’s completely unacceptable behaviour, the authorities will be looking at it. I don’t want to say anything more about that.
“But I just want to say how tremendous the players have been all season long, and they were absolutely on the floor, devastated, like all of us. But we must come back stronger.
I really appreciate the fan sentiment, but it’s all about the players on the pitch and the support they have given them all season.
“When they travel in their many, many thousands in away games, it is truly amazing to see. And I really, really, feel, obviously, for the players associated with Hearts…
“But in particular, the fans, who have been so supportive all season long.”
On how the season unravelled for the Tynecastle club, Bloom said: “For anyone involved in Hearts, a devastating weekend.
“The last ten days of the season… so much happened. However, we must look forward.
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, the Hearts fans are absolutely fantastic, and we’ll be back next season with a bang.
“We want to be competing to win the league every single season that we possibly can.”
Is this Celtic side underrated because domestic success feels routine?
The Celtic Fans Collective’s response to final day scenes
In a statement, the Celtic Fans Collective condemned the reaction to the events as disproportionate and overblown.
The Collective said: “People are entitled to take a critical view of pitch incursions, and they are not something to encourage, but the reaction to this has again been overblown and disproportionate.
“Vague claims of violence and disorder, without clear evidence or specific allegations, only add to the sense that there is a determination to discredit an incredible title win.
“The main focus should be on Martin O’Neill and his team, who deserve enormous credit for winning the league under incredibly challenging and unlikely circumstances.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
