The backlash from Hearts' abandoned friendly with Spanish side Almeria hasn't missed the front pages in the country's media.
The Gorgie outfit were enjoying a warm weather break prior to league action commencing following the conclusion of the World Cup. And as part of the camp, Robbie Neilson's men were set to face the La Liga side in a friendly clash that turned majorly ugly when an all-out brawl ensued on the pitch prior to half time.
In an incident widely shared on social media, Hearts star Alex Cochrane was confronted by Rodrigo Ely of Almeria before both sets of players got involved in the fracas. The two men in question were ordered off before the game was officially scrapped by the referee, sparking huge reaction from Robbie Neilson who branded the scenes 'shambolic'.
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And the columnists in Spain have had their say also, laying blame at Almeria but also shunning Neilson in their papers.
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.
“It is not a move to teach children and it has gone around the world producing embarrassment in the environment of a rich club like Almeria. We couldn’t believe Ely’s action. He went too far. It is already taking time for Almeria to issue an apology statement because half the world has seen it and worst of all is that many children, when contemplating that move by a well-paid professional, can imitate him. What a poor image.”
Another site wrote: "The action of the fight was provoked by the second hard challenge of the Scottish winger Alex Cochrane, first on Samu Costa and a few minutes later –in minute 36– on Alejandro Pozo, who in the jump for control of the ball even put elbows and already with the ball on the ground he knocked down the civilians with violence.
“This action was the spark that led to a fight in which Rodrigo Ely, who came to defend his teammate and recriminate the entry of the Heart of Midlothain footballer, hit and caused the English player to fall to the ground, but causing slaps and shoves between the members of both teams, without a moment of peace in sight, with the benches of both teams also embroiled in the fight, invading the field of play.
“From the Hearts bench the attitude was not the most suitable, aborting the continuity of the stake and the referee, who had taken the decision to expel Rodrigo Ely and Alex Cochrane, had to suspend the match, later, due to Hearts' refusal to play. The Scots opted to retire to the changing rooms of the José Burgos Quintana Sports City, when only 42 minutes had elapsed. Almería continued on the pitch, taking the opportunity to finish a work session that had been incomplete due to the brawl.”
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