[caption id="attachment_66714" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Neil Lennon"]
The man accused of assaulting Celtic manager Neil Lennon during a match in Edinburgh earlier this year has been cleared of the charge.
John Wilson, 26, had denied his actions - where he was seen live on TV lunging at Armagh-born Lennon - were aggravated by religious prejudice.
However, the jury at Edinburgh Sheriff Court found the case against the Hearts fan not proven.
He was found guilty of breach of the peace by running onto the pitch at the Hearts ground Tynecastle last May after Celtic took a 2-0 lead and shouting and swearing at Lennon.
Wilson will return to Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date where he will be sentenced.
Leading Scottish lawyer, Paul McBride - who has represented Neil Lennon in the past - described the decision as "utterly inexplicable."
McBride, a senior barrister, added that the role of jurors in Scotland had to be re-examined.
He said: "In Scotland, we have juries who do not have to read, who do not have to write and who do not have to count, and maybe full of prejudice - unlike other countries."
During the trial, which lasted three days, the court heard that Wilson admitted breaching the peace and attacking Mr. Lennon, but denied uttering a sectarian remark.
He had described the incident as a "moment of madness" and said he "regretted" it.
Peter Croy, 61, who was security manager at the stadium on May 11, told the court he heard Wilson say: "Lennon, you Fenian bastard," after pinning him to the ground.
Giving evidence, Wilson had denied that was what he had said.
Celtic Football Club released a statement following the verdict. It stated: "It is for the jury to decide on this case. However, we find the accused's acquittal of the charge of assault difficult to comprehend bearing in mind our knowledge of the incident.
"One thing is clear, this was a disgraceful incident involving Neil Lennon, seen by the world, the sort of incident which should not have happened in any football stadium and one which embarrassed Scottish football.
"Regardless of the verdict reached, we hope that people will learn from the events of last season and realize these cannot be repeated.
"As always we will give Neil Lennon our full support and hope that this season he can be given the opportunity to be allowed to do his job without the kind of threats, attacks and intimidation which have marred much of his time in Scotland."
