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Fir Park spat referred

Image: Brown: Clashed with former chairman

Craig Brown and John Boyle have both been referred to the SFA's disciplinary committee.

SFA to look into Boyle and Brown confrontation

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown and Motherwell boss John Boyle have both been referred to the Scottish Football Association's disciplinary committee following their ill-tempered clash at Fir Park on Saturday. No automatic ban has been handed to either party, so Brown will be able to take his place in the dugout when the Dons face Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final. He would have been banished to the sidelines for that fixture had the incident been included in the referee's match report. Brown escaped such punishment, as match official Steven McLean was still on the pitch as an angry confrontation broke out in the tunnel. The flashpoint occurred when Boyle approached former Well boss Brown following a 2-1 SPL win for his side. The Well chairman shook hands with Brown but then put his arm around him and whispered something in his ear.

Handbags

Boyle turned and walked down the tunnel, but was followed by Brown and grabbed by the jacket. The Dons boss was immediately spoken to by police, who confirmed they were making enquiries but did not anticipate any criminal action following the 'minor pushing'. Motherwell goalkeeper Darren Randolph has also attempted to play down the incident, claiming tempers flared in the heat of the moment, in the much the same way as they did during a recent Old Firm clash between Rangers and Celtic when Ally McCoist and Neil Lennon exchanged words on the touchline. He said: "I've seen it on TV and it was just handbags. "I don't think anything else would have happened if Craig managed to get back at the chairman. "I think they exchanged words and that was it. Regarding the whole Old Firm thing being brought up again, it was just another incident that was made out to be bigger than it actually was."

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