BBC rules Pat Nevin's on-air punch claim about Lawrence Shankland fell below accuracy standards

The BBC has ruled that Pat Nevin’s on-air claim that Celtic supporters punched Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland during a pitch invasion at Celtic Park fell below the broadcaster’s editorial standards of accuracy, following an investigation by its Executive Complaints Unit.

Nevin made the remarks during live co-commentary for BBC Radio 5 Live as Celtic fans flooded the pitch to celebrate Callum Osmand’s decisive goal in the Hoops’ 3-1 Scottish Premiership title-clinching win over Hearts on the final day of last season. The former Scotland winger said he had seen “two or three” Celtic supporters punch Shankland amid the chaotic scenes.

Two listener complaints prompted the ECU inquiry. The unit acknowledged the difficult circumstances Nevin faced, noting that “the scenes at the end of the match were chaotic, and Mr Nevin and his co-commentators were trying to give listeners an impression of events as they unfolded, with no opportunity for verification before speaking.” It nonetheless concluded his definitive statement was inaccurate.

The ECU accepted the error was made in good faith. “Mr Nevin subsequently acknowledged that he should not have stated definitively that the Hearts captain had been punched by Celtic fans,” the BBC said. “The ECU accepted that this was an honest error made in the heat of the moment, but concluded that it fell below the BBC’s editorial standards of accuracy.”

Nevin had already apologised before the ruling was published. Writing in his BBC Sport newsletter, he explained: “From my angle in the gantry I thought I saw a punch thrown, but it appears it was a confrontation or maybe just goading from one of the hundreds of Celtic fans who invaded the pitch just before the end of the game. Goading is not physical violence and I will take it on the chin.”

The BBC confirmed the finding was reported to the management of BBC Sport, and noted that Nevin apologised for the error on air on two separate occasions as well as in his newsletter.