Sports
‘Embarrassed Scottish Football’ – Hearts Slam Full-Time Scenes vs Celtic
It was supposed to be one of the most dramatic and celebratory title deciders Scottish football had seen in years. Instead, the afternoon at Celtic Park ended in chaos, controversy, and scenes that Hearts have described in the bluntest of terms.
Celtic secured the Scottish Premiership title with a 3-1 victory, but the manner in which it concluded has overshadowed everything.
With Hearts needing just a point to be crowned champions, everything was on track by half-time, even though their 1-0 lead had just been wiped out by a debatable penalty call for handball. But Daizen Maeda’s 85th-minute strike took the title from their grasp, knocking Hearts off the top spot for the first time in 250 days.
Having won a free-kick deep into stoppage time, Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow got into the box, in a last-gasp attempt to snatch the point that would have given them the title. The free-kick was cleared, Celtic broke, and substitute Callum Osmand rolled the ball into an empty net in the 98th minute.
What followed was a pitch invasion from the celebrating Celtic fans. Hearts players were forced to flee for their own safety, the referee brought proceedings to an end without allowing Hearts to kick off, and the afternoon descended into something that had no place in football.
Reports have since emerged of serious physical and verbal abuse directed at Hearts players and staff, including club captain Lawrence Shankland. The entire Hearts staff left the stadium immediately without fulfilling their post-match media duties, citing the safety of their personnel as the priority.
Hearts’ Full Statement After Ugly Scenes at Celtic Park
Hearts have since released a strongly worded statement on their club website that leaves no room for ambiguity about how the club views what took place.
“Heart of Midlothian utterly condemns the shameful scenes at Celtic Park this afternoon which have, once again, embarrassed Scottish football.”
Beginning with the phrase “once again” carries particular weight, pointing to the fact that incidents like this have consistently happened for a number of years at Celtic Park.
The club confirmed they’re investigating the reports of abuse fully and are in dialogue with Police Scotland, while stopping short of making further comment on the specifics at this stage. They also addressed the decision to leave without speaking to the media.
Ex-FIFA Referee Responds to Claim That Celtic vs Hearts Should’ve Been Abandoned
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has spoken out after chaotic scenes at Celtic Park.
“Given the menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium, our entire staff had no alternative but to leave immediately, without undertaking post-match media duties. To our media partners, we apologise but the safety of our staff was our prime focus during these unacceptable scenes.”
Perhaps the most striking passage of the statement addressed the human cost of the chaos, the fact that Hearts players were denied the opportunity to acknowledge their own supporters after a season that had captured the imagination of football fans well beyond Scotland.
“Our players were then denied the opportunity to thank our magnificent fans – sensational to a person – for their backing this afternoon and all season long.”
See the full statement here:
A Call For Action From Hearts
Hearts closed their statement with a clear demand directed at Scottish football’s authorities. “We expect the strongest action possible to be taken by the footballing authorities in the interests of protecting the safety of players and supporters, and the integrity of our game.”
Whatever the outcome of Celtic’s title celebration, Scottish football has serious questions to answer, and Hearts, Derek McInnes, his staff, and their supporters feel as though they deserved far better than the afternoon they were given.
Sports
Mark Henry Names Kurt Angle as Toughest WWE Superstar He Wrestled
Across his 22-year in-ring career, WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry shared the ring with a wide variety of Superstars.
Known as The World’s Strongest Man, Henry is considered to be one of the most powerful men ever to grace the squared circle.
The Silsby, Texas native enjoyed plenty of success in WWE, winning the World Heavyweight Championship twice, in addition to being both a European Champion and the ECW Champion.
Mark Henry Wrestled Many WWE Legends
Henry worked with a wide variety of Superstars during his active career. From icons such as John Cena and The Undertaker to young prospects taking their first steps on the main roster, the 55-year-old has personal experience with them all.
Mark recently sat down with GIVEMESPORT, in association with Casino.org, to speak about his legendary career. While there was one Superstar he couldn’t stand, Henry typically got along with the majority of the locker rooms he was a part of.
Asked to recall the toughest Superstars he had ever been in the ring with, Henry had no hesitation in naming the man who belonged at the top of his list.
Mark Henry’s 3 Toughest WWE Superstars
However, he also gave credit to two Superstars that he shared the SmackDown locker room with between 2005 and 2007.
“Bobby Lashley and Chris Benoit would make the list. There’s been some really tough opponents. Some of these guys were formidable.”
Lashley certainly fits that description, given his extensive amateur wrestling background, together with a 15-2 record in MMA.
One Superstar, though, stood out for Mark above the rest:
“Kurt Angle is one of the toughest Superstars that I’ve shared the ring with. You can put him right there at the top of the list.”
Famously the winner of a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Olympics, Angle made the transition to professional wrestling and WWE just two years after his triumph in Atlanta.
Despite being new to the industry, Angle was a natural in his new role and would win the WWE Championship less than a year after his debut.
He and Henry shared the ring in a number of high-profile matches, including two pay-per-view matches in 2006. Angle defeated Henry to retain the World Heavyweight Championship at that year’s Royal Rumble, before Mark got his revenge via count out at Judgment Day 2006.
Henry’s views on Angle’s toughness are no surprise, given that the Olympic Hero has been ranked among the legitimately toughest Superstars in WWE history.
Kurt officially retired from the ring after losing to Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35, calling time on his own Hall of Fame career.
Sports
Lionel Messi Slammed For Trying to Get Marc Cucurella Sent Off NN:
Argentina have certainly played to the edge of the rules during the World Cup, with many accusations from fans of unsportsmanlike conduct in multiple games during their run to the final. Lionel Scaloni’s have been branded as the villains throughout the tournament for their physical, foul-heavy approach against their opponents.
Fans have persistently complained about the Argentine’s time-wasting, provoking of their opponents and constant hounding of the referee, and that behaviour has followed through to the final, with Lionel Messi involved in the incident which caught many fans’ eyes during Spain’s World Cup final win.
Messi’s Incident With Cucurella
With Argentina going down to ten men following the dismissal of Enzo Fernandez, Messi became involved in a confrontation with Marc Cucurella. Messi turned to the referee demanding that the Spanish left-back should be sent off for covering his mouth, an action that is now considered a red card offence following the introduction of a new rule by FIFA, especially for the tournament.
However, referee Slavko Vincic was unmoved by Messi’s complaint, and no red card was shown to Cucurella as play continued. It’s a rule that has been used but also disregarded during the tournament, with Miguel Almiron sent off earlier in the tournament for covering his mouth whilst Harry Kane avoided punishment for doing the same during England’s game against Argentina.
The incident immediately caught the eye of fans, with many left angered by Messi’s conduct.
Fan Reaction to the Messi Incident
Unsurprisingly, the incident infuriated many fans, who took to social media to complain about Argentina’s behaviour, not for the first time during the tournament.
One fan said: “Messi is a disgrace for trying to get Cucurella sent off”.
Most fans were in agreement, with another saying: “Messi trying to get Marc Cucurella off for covering his mouth tells you everything about his career. The Mr Nice guy mask always comes off when he’s under pressure; he’s a fraud.”
A third posted: “Messi is such a Cheat…I don’t know how he managed to deceive the World that he was the Good guy between the two.” One more said: “Messi tried to send Cucurella off for this. He didn’t even cover his mouth like that. Im told to believe Messi is humble, okay man.”
While another summed up the mood, saying: “The thing with Messi’s little guy is shameful Cucurella approaches him to say something friendly and asks the referee to send him off for saying it with his hand over his mouth.”
Sports
Donald Trump Accused of ‘Ignoring’ Gianni Infantino
The winner of the 2026 World Cup has now been decided, with Spain beating Argentina 1-0 in the final. US President Donald Trump was on hand for the celebrations, but an awkward moment with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has quickly gone viral.
Truth be told, it wasn’t the most memorable game and could even rank among the dullest of the entire tournament. The biggest talking point didn’t come until the 93rd minute when Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card.
The game then went to extra time, but try as they might, 10-man Argentina could not cling on for penalties. Ferran Torres stepped up with a fine finish to lash home the winner and seal Spain’s second-ever World Cup triumph.
US President Trump Causes Stir During World Cup Final Celebrations
After the game, as expected, US President Trump was seen amongst the celebrations. After handing out the winners’ and losers’ medals – at which point he was snubbed by Argentine defender Cristian Romero – he then made his way to the podium as Spain were finally given the chance to lift the World Cup trophy.
As Rodri took the golden prize in his hands, Trump shamelessly positioned himself at the end of the Spanish group. At this point, FIFA president Infantino was seen quickly hurrying across the stage to move Trump out of the way.
He put a hand on the 80-year-old’s arm but was essentially ignored as Trump remained in sight as Spain captain Rodri lifted the World Cup. Infantino appeared to sheepishly back away a bit, and the two eventually edged further away as the celebrations continued.
Fans Not Happy With ‘Weird’ Trump Behaviour
Multiple clips of the incident have gone viral online, with fans clearly not impressed. One said: “Not Trump ignoring Infantino trying to get him to leave the scene for Spain’s trophy lift. That’s what you get for selling yourself, you corrupt clown.”
Another added:
“Infantino trying to usher Trump off stage for the trophy lift and he’s ignoring him.”
A third noted: “Infantino was literally telling Trump to move out of the way. He wanted to stand there and take photos.” While a fourth said: “Didn’t want to leave the stage where the Spanish team was celebrating despite Infantino trying to lead Trump off several times.”
Somebody added: “He did something similar during the World Club Cup too. Trump just like to be in the limelight. Wants to share headlines, not one to stay in the background. He was really looking out of place there, creating a weird scene.”
A final fan spoke for many as they wrote: “Trump knows exactly what he’s doing here.”
-
Sports20 hours agoWhy Thomas Tuchel Gave Bukayo Saka Zero Minutes in England vs Argentina
-
Sports20 hours agoMichael Olise ‘Broke Down in Tears’ After France vs England
-
Sports23 hours agoAdrien Rabiot Slams France Teammates in Stunning Interview After England Defeat
-
Sports2 days agoRomano Shares New Update On Tottenham Signing Savinho
-
Metro23 hours agoArmy dismantles illegal bunkering site, arrests six suspects in Lagos
-
Politics2 days agoPeter Obi has called me – Isaac Fayose reveals amid threat to dump Obidient Movement
-
Sports2 days agoDavid Robertson Banned From Golf For 20 Years Due to Actions
-
Metro2 days agoThree Chinese, others arrested over alleged illegal mining in Nasarawa

