NOT SO FRIENDLY HEARTS’ friendly clash with Spanish side Almeria has been ABANDONED after a brawl broke out on the pitch.

The Jambos were taking on the La Liga outfit in Malaga as they gear up for their return to Premiership action in a couple of weeks’ time.

The melee was sparked by a challenge from Alex Cochrane

Hearts defender Cochrane was left on the ground

Players from both sides piled in before the referee abandoned the game
Robbie Neilson sent out a strong side, including a number of key first team stars with the likes of Lawrence Shankland, Barrie McKay and Michael Smith all featuring.

Things were going along fairly normally, with Almeria taking a 28th minute lead through Dyego Sousa.

But ten minutes later, carnage broke out.

Footage shows a late, but rather innocuous, looking challenge from Alex Cochrane being met with a furious response by an Almeria player who instantly confronts the Jambos defender.

Then from nowhere, another Almeria player comes flying in with Cochrane sent to the ground clutching his face.

Players from both sides then get involved, with coaching staff also spilling onto the pitch in the heated scenes.

There’s plenty of pushing and shoving, while punches also allegedly look to be thrown.

Cochrane and Almeria’s Rodrigo Ely were shown red cards by the referee in the aftermatch

However, the official was in no mood to let things go on any further, and called a halt to proceedings.

Hearts tweeted shortly after: “Following altercations between both sets of players, the decision has been made to abandon the match.”