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Police forced to break up incredible 20-man touchline bust-up between Hamilton and Hearts players and coaches
POLICE waded into a furious touchline rammy at Tynecastle that saw more than 20 players and coaches clash during the match between Hearts and Hamilton.
Jambos coach Austin MacPhee grappled with Accies ace Darian MacKinnon during the bust-up before being SENT OFF.
ANDY BARR – THE SUN GLASGOW: Hearts’ Austin MacPhee chucked the ball away as Hamilton’s Darian MacKinnon attempted to take a throw-in
ANDY BARR – THE SUN GLASGOW: The two square up
ANDY BARR – THE SUN GLASGOW: More than 20 players and coaches were involved in the fracas
ANDY BARR – THE SUN GLASGOW: Police were forced to intervene
ANDY BARR – THE SUN GLASGOW: The scuffle saw the assistant and player fall to the floor
ANDY BARR – THE SUN GLASGOW: The shocking scenes unfolded in front of a packed house at Tynecastle
ANDY BARR – THE SUN GLASGOW: Players and coaches clash at Tynecastle
DAVID FRIEL: 58 Incredible scenes, MacKinnon and Hearts no2 Austin MacPhee fall over in touchline over fight for ball.That sparks mass melee. Police officer also tries to restore calm and MacPhee is ordered to join Levein in stands
HEARTS/TWITTER
Reports claimed the bust-up began after MacPhee chucked the ball away as MacKinnon went to take a throw-in.
Hamilton boss Martin Canning was also caught up in the chaos as ref Bobby Madden, a cop and a steward trying their best to calm the situation down.
In their match updates, the BBC said: “When the ball runs out for a throw in, Hearts coach Austin MacPhee picks it up and then tangled with Accies midfielder Darian MacKinnon, with both falling to the ground.
“After a melee involving staff from both technical areas, MacPhee is sent to the stand by referee Bobby Madden and joins manager Craig Levein, who was sent there earlier.
“Meanwhile, Accies boss Martin Canning hauls off MacKinnon and replaces him with Rakish Bingham.”
Hearts boss Craig Levein was sent off earlier in the match, as was Jambos youngster Jamie Brandon.
The controversial clash happened amid an eventful 24 hours for the capital side.
Yesterday Levein slaughtered ex-Hearts midfielder and SunSport columnist Michael Stewart in an astonishing rant.
And today’s kick-off was delayed 15 minutes after Tynecastle was evacuated before the match.