Four Hearts players red-carded as SFA investigates tunnel brawl at Hamilton

Published Date: 07 December 2009
By Angus Wright
HEARTS could be in serious trouble with the football authorities after the Scottish Football Association confirmed there will be a full investigation into a brawl which saw the Tynecastle club leave New Douglas Park with four players red carded in the 2-1 loss to Hamilton Accies.
A member of Hearts' backroom team was also given the equivalent of a red card following the flare-up in the tunnel after full-time, and an Accies player was also 'dismissed'.

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo described the scenes as the worst he had seen in his career.

The game had ended on a controversial note as nine-man Hearts were denied a penalty kick in the dying moments which could have earned the visitors a draw, and punches were said to have been thrown as players made their way to the dressing rooms.

Hearts finished with nine men after captain Michael Stewart and defender Ismael Bouzid both picked up red cards during the match. Referee David Somers effectively issued another three red cards following the altercation between personnel from both clubs in the tunnel, which was witnessed by stand-side assistant Steven Craven and fourth official Euan Norris.

The official will report Hearts midfielder Ian Black for insulting and abusive behaviour and winger Suso Santana for violent conduct. Hamilton substitute striker Leon Knight will also be reported for violent conduct.

It is understood that Hearts masseur Alan Robson will be reported, with scorer Eggert Jonsson picking up a caution for dissent.

A spokesperson for the SFA said: "The SFA will conduct a full investigation into events that occurred in the aftermath of the game between Hamilton and Heart of Midlothian."

The Tynecastle club have now picked up 18 red cards in the last 18 months.

Goals from James McArthur – his first for exactly a year – and Simon Mensing put the home side two ahead before Jonsson reduced the deficit.

Stewart received his marching orders just after the break for lashing out at Alex Neil. The Hearts skipper then lambasted the fourth official on the way off, before losing his balance and crashing to the floor as he aimed a kick at an object outside the dressing room.

Referee Somers issued a second yellow card to Bouzid with nine minutes left after he brought down James Wesolowski.

Taken from the Scotsman