Hibernian manager David Gray has condemned the alleged racist abuse of his defender Jordan Obita, which led to a Hearts fan being ejected from Tynecastle and arrested during yesterday's Edinburgh derby.
The incident is understood to have occurred during a lengthy VAR review, after which Hibs scored the first goal in a 2-1 win.
The police took away a local fan who was behind the Hibs technical area, where substitute Obita was sitting.
Obita, 31, came on for the visitors in the second half and was involved in their first derby win at Gorgie in five years, with veteran Dwight Gayle scoring a superb 78th-minute winner.
“There is no place for this at all and it has already been taken care of,” Gray said when asked about the alleged incident.
“The most important thing is that Jordan has been on the field and was fantastic when he came on. So it's about making sure it doesn't affect people as much as we can. As far as I'm concerned, it's unacceptable.”
Hibernian's Jordan Obita speaks to police after abuse hurled his way
Hibs boss David Gray condemned the abuse and was pleased with his player's reaction.
Critchley's team lacked “the composure, faith and personality to play football in the midst of chaos”
Hearts confirmed the matter was in the hands of the police and pledged to continue to clamp down on any such incidents.
“The club condemns racism and any abusive behaviour,” Hearts said in a statement. “He will not be commenting further on an active police matter.”
Hibs later issued a statement thanking Hearts for their “quick” response.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Two men have been arrested in connection with the disorder.” A 45-year-old man has been arrested in connection with alleged racial abuse and investigations are ongoing. Another man was arrested in connection with a raid on the countryside.
Meanwhile, Hearts boss Neil Critchley bemoaned a familiar history of misfortune for his team at both ends of the pitch as a painful derby defeat deepened their relegation fears.
Boos echoed around Tynecastle at the end of the Gorgie side's first home defeat to Hibs since 2019. Critchley have lost eight of their last 13 games in all competitions.
Gayle got a deserved late goal for Hibs after Kye Rowles and Rocky Bushiri exchanged own goals in the first half.
“It's a very familiar story for us, missing opportunities and missing opportunities,” Critchley said.
Hearts defender Craig Halkett looks dejected as his team slumps to defeat in the Edinburgh derby.
“I didn't like what I saw for long periods of that game. We didn't pass the ball well enough. We didn't keep the ball well enough.
“The first goal knocked us down. You can have a plan until you get punched in the nose. They punched us in the nose. That affected us.
“When we calmed down and started playing near the end of the half and into the second half, we were in control of the game.
“We have to show more composure, confidence and personality to play football in the midst of chaos. We didn't do that. When we did it, the game was there for us.
'The goal comes from not dealing with a cross. We can't allow Gayle to have the freedom of the box. We did it and that's what he's built his career on.
“It was a really poor goal. Then we were left chasing the game. We weren't good enough for long enough, just spells, and, in a game like this, that's not enough.”
Gray was excited that his team had four wins in its last five games to continue its recent resurgence.
Hibs stars, led by defender Rocky Bushiri, celebrate in front of their traveling supporters
He deliberately used the club's long wait for a victory at Tynecastle as motivation for his players.
“That was the message to the players, it was about changing history and creating your own history here,” he said.
'The most important thing was the character of the players. When Hearts made it 1-1 again, especially after playing so well in the first half, there could have been a really negative reaction.
“Apart from the latest results and performances, up to this point in the season we have underperformed. We have been subject to a lot of criticism, but I have absolute confidence that, over time, we will be able to change the situation.
'I had real faith in the group and the unity has always been there. Days like today can only reinforce that.
“It was fantastic, especially for the players, to enjoy that moment with the fans. We need to keep improving, there can be no complacency, but we are in a really positive moment.”