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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| MSP match abandoned after clash | MSP match abandoned after clash |
| (about 19 hours later) | |
| A football match between politicians and journalists was called off after tempers boiled over, it has emerged. | |
| The match was stopped after 55 minutes following a number of contentious challenges between the MSPs and the sports journalists they were facing. | The match was stopped after 55 minutes following a number of contentious challenges between the MSPs and the sports journalists they were facing. |
| BBC Scotland broadcaster Chick Young was taken out of the game by what he called an "evil" tackle, after which the MSP John Park was sent off. | |
| The game took place at Lesser Hampden in Glasgow on Sunday. | The game took place at Lesser Hampden in Glasgow on Sunday. |
| Labour's Ken Macintosh, one of the organisers of the MSPs' side, said both teams accepted the decision to call proceedings to a halt. | |
| "Normally it's our football that embarrasses, not our behaviour," Mr Macintosh said. | "Normally it's our football that embarrasses, not our behaviour," Mr Macintosh said. |
| "But in this case, it wasn't a terrific display. | "But in this case, it wasn't a terrific display. |
| "We're looking for a chance to redeem ourselves and show that we play football in the right spirit in the near future." | "We're looking for a chance to redeem ourselves and show that we play football in the right spirit in the near future." |
| One of the flashpoints in the match saw Chick Young injured and stretchered off. | |
| "That was part of what got the game overheated," Mr Macintosh said. | "That was part of what got the game overheated," Mr Macintosh said. |
| Mr Park, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, who carried out the contentious tackle, told BBC Scotland: "I felt quite guilty about it and I went and apologised to Chick." | |
| 'Evil challenge' | |
| But Chick said he had never experienced play like it in 20 years of charity football. | |
| He said: "I'm beginning to mellow as the days go on but if you saw my ankle you'd be understanding why I'm reluctant to do so. | |
| "The tackle was evil in my opinion and the referee obviously clearly agreed." | |
| The MSPs' side, which also included Labour's Andy Kerr and Frank McAveety and the SNP's Jamie Hepburn, was leading 6-2 when the match was abandoned. | The MSPs' side, which also included Labour's Andy Kerr and Frank McAveety and the SNP's Jamie Hepburn, was leading 6-2 when the match was abandoned. |
| It is understood this came about after players from both sides squared up and started pushing each other in the chest. | It is understood this came about after players from both sides squared up and started pushing each other in the chest. |
| The journalists' team also included Radio Clyde commentator Peter Martin. | The journalists' team also included Radio Clyde commentator Peter Martin. |