Saints fine bad boys Foster and Swanson one month’s wages

ST JOHNSTONE team-mates Richard Foster and Danny Swanson have been fined four weeks’ wages by the club following their ferocious onfield brawl. The pair had been suspended by Saints pending an investigation after they were sent off in last week’s Premiership match at Hamilton for trading punches and kicks. The nine-man Perth side lost the game 1-0. Initially, the club considered dismissing the players altogether, but have now decided to fine them the maximum amount possible — some of which will help pay travel costs for fans travelling to St Johnstone’s remaining away matches. Automatically banned for last Wednesday’s 1-0 home win over Hearts and today’s trip to Inverness, 31-year-old defender Foster and midfielder Swanson, 30, are expected to return to Tommy Wright’s squad for next Saturday’s visit of Aberdeen. A club statement read: ‘Richard Foster and Danny Swanson fully accept that they are ambassadors for the club and role models for young fans everywhere. ‘They accept that their conduct fell far below that which is required of them as professional football players with St Johnstone FC and that they brought the club into disrepute. ‘The sanctions imposed upon them — a fine of four weeks’ wages — were the most severe, short of summary dismissal. ‘The players have accepted the sanctions without question and they wish to apologise unreservedly to the supporters of the club for their behaviour. ‘Both players have expressed a desire for a proportion of the fines to be utilised for free bus travel for supporters to the remaining away matches this season and the club is in agreement with this request. ‘The players will now return to training and playing duties where they can channel their energies into contributing to the continued success of the club.’