Accies boss given three-match ban

HAMILTON ACCIES player-manager Alex Neil has been hit with a threematch suspension for his moment of madness at Dumbarton on Saturday — and he’s also landed himself with a touchline ban.

Neil was shown a straight red card for butting Mark Gilhaney 10 minutes from the end of the match at Strathclyde Homes Stadium.

Accies, who had been a point clear at the top of the Championship before the kick-off, were 2-1 down and went on to lose 4-1.

They now trail leaders Dundee by two points going into this weekend’s final game at home to already- relegated Morton.

However, Neil will be prevented from giving team talks before the game and at half-time and will be forced to watch from the stand.

That will also apply to both legs of the quarterfinal or semi-final of the Premiership play-offs unless Accies can win the title — and automatic promotion — on Saturday.

“Mr Neil has been given a two-match ban for his red card and he now has a further onematch suspension to be added to that,” confirmed a spokeswoman for the Scottish Football Association.

“This penalty also applies to him in his managerial capacity so he will be excluded from the playing zone from one hour before the kick-off until 15 minutes after the matches h ave ended.”

Picture: SNS Group. Alex Neil.