Six days in May

For any bright young thing studying the dark arts of communications, this week on Planet Fitba is a treasure trove.

Like the title decider that went down to the last set piece, the last six days have had everything.

Let’s start with the losers.

First out of the blocks was this statement from Hearts last Saturday,  May 16^th.

Just in case it gets inadvertently deleted from their website one day, here it is for posterity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They followed up four days later, on Wednesday, May 20th, with this one.

 

 

 

The succulent shills in the Stenography Corps were giddy with glee that Hearts were “onto something”.

Then last night, this dropped from the SFA.

“We note the contents of Heart of Midlothian’s statement yesterday and accompanying letter signed by the club Chair, Calum Paterson. In the interests of transparency, we are happy to set out the facts.

“Regarding references to a ‘premature ending of the match’, the Scottish FA’s Chief Governance Officer, Gary Booth, the Head of Refereeing, William Collum, and VAR Manager Martin Atkinson reviewed the audio-visual footage of the period in question on Monday at the club’s request, with Mr Paterson in attendance.

“While it was the agreed intention for this meeting to be conducted privately, recent statements have compelled us to consider the public interest in providing clarification and chronology.

“To that end, we are happy to publish the relevant audio-visual footage.

It was made clear at that meeting that the match official, Don Robertson, took the correct action in ending the game.

“We note there has been speculation regarding the blowing of a final whistle. The Laws of the Game require the referee to signal the end of the match, but do not prescribe the method of that signal. 

“In the context of what unfolded – which is verified by the footage and the Match Incident Report submitted to the Scottish FA – the match official clearly communicated that the match was ended and not abandoned.

“In addition, the match clock does not stop when a goal is scored. The footage shows that when the match official confirms the game has ended, the clock is at 53.07 [98.07], more than the minimum additional time of eight minutes signalled.

“It was also apparent from the audio that this decision was taken following dialogue with the Hearts Head Coach, who had intimated concerns over player safety.

For the avoidance of doubt, Law 5 of the IFAB Laws of the Game state that ‘the decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final’.

We fully support the decisive action taken by Don Robertson and his team to end the game.”

 

In the PR world, this is what is sometimes called a “headshot”.

Of course, it helps when you’ve got the ammunition of sound and vision.

 

So on MONDAY 18^th, the club Chair of Hearts, Calum Paterson, was shown this footage.

Quite frankly, this makes their May 20th statement rather baffling.

As they KNEW that the match had not been ended prematurely.

The featured image suggests that both managers KNEW that the match had been ended.

Once more, the Fifth Estate have shown the Stenography Corps how you do this holding-power-to-account stuff.

Alan Morrison on the Huddle Breakdown patiently and forensically unpacks the last six days.

Last night, someone in the Edinburgh business village reminded me that the people at Hearts are smart.

I countered that even intelligent people at times make mistakes when they’re emotional.

This might be one of those times.

Certainly, using the word “assault” without clear forensic evidence of the same isn’t smart.

Indeed, your humble correspondent would characterise it as “premature”.

One thing is for sure: the local media have once more displayed impressive consistency in failing to hold power to account.

Throughout it all this week, the Irishman currently speaking up for the club formed by immigrants has remained calm, focused and evidence-based.

It would be fitting if tomorrow, a week on from the start of this messaging shitshow, he completes a league and cup double.

I say that with no harm to a man from Lurgan, whom I know and respect.

What he has achieved with Dunfermline is outstanding.

However, I’m sure if the Hoops win, then there will only be dignity in defeat from Neil Francis Lennon.

It’s what I would expect from someone reared in the GAA.

Both managers tomorrow are ex-Gaelic footballers.

Consequently, they know the spirit of real sport.

It starts and ends with a handshake, leaving the conflict on the pitch where it belongs.

The Brits should watch and learn.