Rarely has a low key friendly attracted such attention but it’s fair to say Hearts’ bounce game with La Liga side UD Almeria has gained a few column inches in Spain. The match in the Estadio Jose Burgos didn’t even last until half-time with the game abandoned as the fixture descended into chaos.
Robbie Neilson described it as a “shambles” as he explained how the match erupted into a 60-man brawl after referee Sanchez Carreras, from Cordoba, sent off Jambos defender Alex Cochrane and Rodrigo Ely from the Spaniards. Neilson spoke of Cochrane being on the end of a forearm smash during the melee and in the end decided against continuing the game, which had a fair bit of needle before it erupted. The Gorgie gaffer spoke to Hearts TV after the match but opposite number Rubi and the Spanish top flight side have been silent as they head off to Saudi Arabia to continue their winter break preparations and the Jambos continuing training ahead of their Scottish Premiership return.
However, the local media have been less than impressed, particularly with Ely who flattened Cochrane after reacting angrily to a challenge by the stopper on Alejandro Pozo. Journalist Tony Fernandez of daily newspaper La Voz de Almeria wrote: "Let Almeria be the one to issue an apology note because their player and the entity appear portrayed in an embarrassing action inappropriate for a professional. I couldn't expect this from Ely. He is so much more than that. If he wanted to save Pozo then it was enough for him to stand in front and protect him but not with his fists out.
