Hearts face inquiry into Ibrox fracas

Football

The Scottish Football Association will launch a major investigation into events at Ibrox on Saturday, which saw Hearts' four defenders sent off by the referee, Gerry Evans.

Jim Farry, the chief executive of the SFA, said yesterday: "We will look at reports from the game and it will be up to the disciplinary committee to decide if further action is necessary.

"My own view is that for various reasons it is necessary to see the level of misconduct on a scale requiring a special review."

Such a review might also investigate the actions of Mr Evans. The first red card was issued to Pasquale Bruno for a second caution after a foul on Gordon Durie, but the second showed the official in a bad light. He struggled to reach the flashpoint when David Weir and Durie clashed outside the Hearts penalty area. Durie had originally appeared to foul David McPherson but when the referee finally arrived at the scene he sent off Weir for an alleged head butt.

Two more Hearts' players, Neil Pointon and Paul Ritchie, were subsequently ordered off on the instructions of the linesman after showing their frustration.

Chris Robinson, the Hearts chairman, then came on to the touchline for discussions with his manager, Jim Jefferies, giving rise to suggestions that he wanted the remaining players taken off the field. Hearts will now be without the four players for Tuesday's Coca-Cola Cup tie against Celtic.