Several arrests made after fight between St Johnstone team mates

Several arrests have been made following a fight between team-mates which has resulted in their suspension from the club.

Danny Swanson was involved in a fight with St Johnstone team mate Richard Foster. Pic: SNS/Roddy Scott

St Johnstone duo Richard Foster and Danny Swanson have been suspended pending an internal investigation by the club following an alleged fight between the pair during Saints’ defeat to Hamilton Academical.

The altercation happened after the half-time whistle had blown at The Superseal Stadium.

Both players received a red card from referee Don Robertson, as did Hamilton assistant coach Guillaume Beuzelin.

The fight between the players resulted in a brawl among players and staff as they made their way to the tunnel.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright told the BBC that he had not seen the incident but will hand out the “ strictest punishment” if it transpires that the players did do what they had been accused of doing.

“The referee has said they were both sent off for violent conduct so obviously he feels he has made the right decision but I haven’t seen it with my own eyes so I am not going to comment on heresy,” he said.

“But obviously something has happened. I am going to wait and see for myself and I will take my word for it. The players have been told in front of the whole team that they’ve let themselves down and more importantly they have let their team down.

“We should be celebrating getting top six and possibly increasing our lead over Hearts but we’re not.

“The players both know in no uncertain terms they strictest, hardest punishment I can do legally with them, I’ll do it.

They’ll get a fair investigation and we’ll do that next week. Under no circumstances will they get off lightly if we feel that what’s alleged has happened has happened.

I will dish out the strictest punishment I can. I am extremity disappointed for the players that stayed on the pitch.”

Wright was also critical of Hamilton’s staff and players who he felt inflamed the situation.

“I don’t know why Hamilton got involved in it. I think their coach was sent off, (Darian) MacKinnon was running around jumping into me coming onto the pitch for the second half. The fourth official sees it, doesn’t do anything.

“Things happened which shouldn’t have happened but it is nothing to do with Hamilton. They shouldn’t have got involved in it. Maybe they are making sure the referee makes the right decision but that shouldn’t happen.”

Police Scotland early confirmed it was responding to the incident.

A spokeswoman said: “We received reports of a disturbance at the stadium and we are responding to it. The incident is ongoing.

“There have been a number of arrests.”