HIbs chairman gets Scottish FA backing after cup final comments

Stewart Regan has given under-fire Hibernian chairman Rod Petrie his backing following calls for the Easter Road chief to be stripped of his Scottish Football Association role.

Petrie came in for criticism after he described the violent scenes at last month's Scottish Cup final with Rangers as "over-exuberance".

Light Blues supporters group Club 1872 even demanded he resign his SFA vice-presidency, but the governing body's chief executive Regan is standing by the Leith director.

Speaking after the SFA's AGM in Glasgow, he said: "Rod is a valued vice-president of the Scottish FA.

"He has worked tirelessly for Scottish football over the years and I've got no issue with Rod Petrie as a vice-president."

Petrie tried to downplay the chaotic events which followed his club's historic Scottish Cup triumph, although he later released a statement condemning those responsible for the violent clashes which marred the Hampden contest.

However, his original comments outraged both Rangers and their supporters after several Ibrox players were assaulted as they tried to leave the pitch.

Thousands of jubilant Hibs fans poured on to the playing surface at full-time to celebrate their first competition win since 1902, but the scenes turned ugly as Gers' players and staff were targeted.

Fights broke out when Rangers fans also broke through the security cordons, while the Hampden pitch and a set of goal-posts were also damaged.

In a statement released the day after the cup final, Rangers claimed they had yet to receive an apology from their Hibs counterparts for the treatment dished out to their employees.

But, speaking as he left the AGM at Glasgow's City Chambers, Petrie said there had been "communication" between the clubs.

However, when pressed if that included an apology, he would only say: "It was wrong of the supporters to come on the pitch and things that happened after that are inexcusable.

"It's also inexcusable for supporters to come on the pitch so we know where we stand."

Meanwhile, Petrie says he has still not given up hope of persuading Alan Stubbs to stay on as Hibs boss.

The Englishman is closing in on a return south after agreeing a three-year deal that will see him take over at Rotherham.

The Millers are now hoping to push through a £120,00 compensation package, but Petrie would like to see Stubbs remain at the helm in Edinburgh.

"We've made it plain to Alan from the outset that we want him to continue to be our manager," he said. "That is our stance and has been through-out.

"But we have to be realistic too and hear what our friends in Rotherham have to say to us."