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Hibernian chief executive Leeann Dempster dismissed claims Neil Lennon goaded Hearts fans before being struck by a corner as she is told to be an entertainment business.
Lennon's train Celtic team-mate, Gary Caldwell, claimed the Hibs head coach incites disorder while training Hearts striker Stephen Elliott branded his touchline behavior "idiotic".
The 47-year-old turned round to the joke with Hearts fans and the move to the calm after the hosts had a goal disallowed during Wednesday's goalless Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle. Seconds later he was struck by a missile.
"Irrespective of what a manager does trackside, he does not want to be hit by an object," Dempster told talkSPORT. "If others, the league or anybody else deem a manager's antics to go beyond the realms of what's acceptable then that will be dealt with properly.
"But remember we are in the business as here. And, sorry, I do not support anybody who says that has a manager having interaction with fans in that way.
"You just have to look at the circumstances. We know what the interaction is like for him (at Tynecastle) and he's human like everybody else, and I do not think we should forget that. "
Caldwell had condemned the missile-throwing but felt Lennon should have behaved differently.
The Partick Thistle manager told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound program: "I was Neil's team-mate at Celtic and I love him to bits, I love his teams and the way they play, but I think he is a lot of it on himself.
"Whoever throws a wedge – I actually got a hit on one of the stars. But Neil Lennon was goading the fans as that goal got disallowed and then it happened.
"I just think, as managers, coaches, players, we do not have a level of professionalism that encourages us, and I think at times he does."
Former Republic of Ireland International Elliott, who played in Hearts' 2012 Scottish Final Cup win over Hibs, branded Lennon an "idiot" on Twitter.
"I did not condone throwing wedge or any other kind of violence but Neil Lennon does not help himself," he wrote. "Why is he acting so immature. Obviously there's no doubt that it's going to be successful, but it's going to be a success.
"I understand it takes a bit of stick but that comes with the post. He is meant to be called professional and role model. His antics on the line are embarrbading both to the crowd and the 4th officials.
Again I'm totally against the person who threw Neil Lennon. Should not have happened and I agree he did not want it. Shameful stuff. However his reaction to the crowd after the goal, especially as a manager is idiotic !! "
Lennon – who had been attacked on the touchline, in the street, and had had some accusations immediately after the game.
"It was really lighthearted the whole game, there was no malice, a bit of banter between me and a couple of fans," Lennon said. "Obviously there was some heavy stuff, but nothing over the top. So where that came from I do not know.
"Their mode of thinking will be he's bringing it on himself". Sorry, that does not wash, and that's why I am angry. "
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