Flares were thrown on to the Easter Road pitch on Sunday and held up play

Police and Scottish Premier League investigations have been launched into crowd trouble at Sunday's Edinburgh derby at Easter Road Stadium.

Coins, flares and other objects were thrown on to the pitch, while seats were reportedly vandalised as visitors Hearts won 2-0 against Hibernian.

Hibs refused to comment, but Hearts' Jim Jefferies condemned the behaviour.

However, the team manager said: "What do you do? Do you search everyone going into the ground?"

And Jefferies suggested: "If you did that, they would be waiting there for 10 hours to get in.

"The derby's a great occasion and it shouldn't be spoiled by idiots throwing things.

We have invited comments from Celtic, Hibernian and Hearts on the back of the weekend's events SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster

"The clubs get their information and intelligence and I'm sure they do all they can to make it avoidable."

Indeed, Jefferies said that his players had been warned before the match that there was a possibility of smoke canisters being thrown.

Although were also told not to go near them, defender Marius Zaliukas approached one of the cans only to be urged by his team-mates to stay well clear.

"He went to kick it then one of the players - I think it was Ian Black - told him not to go near it," said a relieved Hearts manager.

"We told them that in the dressing-room before the game. But, in the passion of the derby, you keep forgetting these things."

Lothian and Borders Police reported no football arrests before, during or after the match but confirmed that an investigation would be held into the throwing of items on to the pitch.

Meanwhile, SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster said that it would be holding its own investigation into crowd trouble at the Edinburgh derby.

Doncaster is also looking into the display of a giant anti-poppy banner by a group of Celtic fans during their home match against Aberdeen.

"We have invited comments from Celtic, Hibernian and Hearts on the back of the weekend's events and are awaiting the reports of the match delegates," he added.

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