Canning condemns Accies for losing control

HAMILTON boss Martin Canning has condemned his players for losing control following the win over Ross County.

Ioannis Skondras was shown a straight red card after being involved in an ugly confrontation with several County players, which saw both teams pile in.

The defender was even face-to-face with referee Gavin Duncan at one point before being dismissed, and has since been charged by the SFA.

Skondras has been charged with “excessive misconduct” and could be handed an extended ban, while Accies have also been charged with failing to control their players — the second time they have been warned about their conduct following angry scenes at Tynecastle earlier in the month.

Canning says he has yet to decide on their response but was disappointed to see the reactions of his players.

The Accies boss said: “I’ve not had a chance to sit and digest it and go through it properly.

“When I do I will comment further on it but at the minute I will need to have a chat with the owners and see where we go.

“We’ve got until the 28th to respond and there’s a hearing on the January 11, so we will see how it unfolds.”

He added: “We shouldn’t be taking it that far. We have to try to control ourselves. It was that type of game.

“I think (Ross County defender Kenny) Van der Weg kicked it off by pushing Ioannis and when that happens, both teams protect their team-mates and given the amount of pressure on the game — and an 89th-minute goal — you can understand the emotion of the game boiling over.

“But it’s no excuse for us to have a player sent off.”

Full-back Skondras could miss up to 16 matches.

Patrick N’Koyi