Scottish FA criticises McInnes and media after referee requires police protection

• Official under watch after personal details leaked online

• Hearts manager called Celtic decision ‘disgusting’

The Scottish Football Association has vehemently criticised a “hysterical media narrative” and taken a swipe at the Hearts manager, Derek McInnes, while revealing one of its match officials and his family spent Thursday night under police protection after controversial incidents which have dominated the conclusion to the Premiership season.

McInnes called the stoppage-time award of a penalty to Celtic in Wednesday’s win at Motherwell “disgusting”, with that, plus the denial of a spot-kick for Hearts during their fixture at the same stadium days earlier, dominating discussion. Hearts visit Celtic on Saturday needing a draw to become the first non-Old Firm title winners in 41 years.