Hearts to contest complaint issued to Hamill

Jamie Hamill: Formal hearing. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

The 27-year-old was offered a four-match ban by compliance officer Vincent Lunny after knocking Adams to the floor while celebrating his opening goal in the 2-0 win over County last month.

Hearts had until close of business yesterday to notify the SFA of their intentions, and they informed the governing body, via the players’ union PFA Scotland, that they will be strongly contesting the charge.

Hamill is accused of breaking disciplinary rule 201, which includes “any physical violence”, through “excessive misconduct at a match by knocking Derek Adams, manager of Ross County FC, to the ground.”

It is understood, however, Hearts will argue that Hamill did not intentionally crash into Adams, and they expect video evidence available to them will support their case. There will be a formal hearing at Hampden on 8 May, at which Hamill’s fate will be decided.

Speaking after the incident, Hearts manager Gary Locke expressed his hope that “common sense” would prevail.

He said: “We will see what else comes out of [the hearing], but hopefully it won’t be too much.

“I’ve spoken with Jamie and we’ve dealt with it internally and I felt that should have been the end of the matter.”

County chairman Roy MacGregor also waded into the debate following the remarkable scenes at Tynecastle, adding: “He scored a penalty, the players came round him and he ran away from them up the line – I don’t think he deliberately went to our manager.”

BT Sport Q&A: Rangers | Hibs | Neil Lennon

THIS week’s BT Sport video Q&A looks at whether Rangers fans will buy season tickets and if the club’s supporters will force a change of ownership.

The form of Hibs under Terry Butcher is also examined following the Easter Road side’s derby defeat while the future of Neil Lennon is also considered following the announcement that his assistant Johan Mjallby is to depart at the end of the season.

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