Swanson and Foster sent off after on-field bust up
Perth players have words with Hamilton management staff who entered the field of play at the end of the first half Hamilton ...................... 1 St Johnstone ................. 0 Two St Johnstone players were sent off after an on-field bust up with each other on April Fools’ Day. But this was no joke.
Danny Swanson and Richard Foster were given their marching orders following the half-time whistle in Saturday’s agonizing loss against Hamilton Accies.
A disagreement between the pair resulted in an altercation as shocked spectators watched on in amazement before the players were eventually pulled apart.
After the game - which finished 1-0 to the home side courtesy of a last-gasp strike from Alex D’Acol - Saints suspended Swanson and Foster pending a full and thorough internal investigation.
Despite the loss, results elsewhere officially confirmed the McDiarmid Park club’s placing as a top six team for the sixth consecutive year. It was disappointing that other events overshadowed that achievement.
Saints made two changes from their last Scottish Premiership outing with Murray Davidson replacing Steven MacLean, whose knee prevents him from playing on an artificial surface, and Alan Mannus in for Zander Clark.
The hosts were rooted to the bottom of the table prior to kick-off but they carved out the first dangerous attack of the game.
In the fourth minute midfielder Greg Docherty cut in from the left flank and fired a strike towards the Perth net. Mannus had to be alert to keep the ball out.
The Northern Irish internationalist soon after watched an Ali Crawford strike fizz over the crossbar.