A Friendly kick-about turned into a pitch battle when a football game between politicians and the media really kicked off.

A Friendly kick-about turned into a pitch battle when a football game between politicians and the media really kicked off.

The Lesser Hampden match that set MSPs and councillors against the media scarcely made it past the start of the second half when the anxious referee was forced to call time as tempers flared.

When the charity game threatened to turn into an all-out brawl, both sides were forced to leave the pitch, with former Evening Times man Chick Young limping off.

The pundit was left writhing on the ground after a hefty tackle from Labour MSP John Park.

And as he claimed the politician had tried to "do" him, opposing team-mates got involved in a shoving match as the game descended into chaos.

Young said he was still suffering from the tackle as he blasted: "They played like thugs. The treatment of us and the ref was scandalous. I'm 57 and not interested in trying to break people's ankles in a kickabout.

"It makes me worry about the type of person who wants to run this country."

Mr Park, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: "My challenge on Chick was just mis-timed."

Times columnist Peter Martin, also a pundit with Radio Clyde, was allegedly confronted by George Redmond after he ran the length of the pitch to claim a punch had been thrown.

The East End councillor was unapologetic and said: "The journalists thought they could just turn up and roll us over and when that didn't happen they lost the plot.

"The game was too easy for us and I'm surprised how childish they were."

The teams left the field after just 55 minutes.

Today Labour's Ken McIntosh sought to make peace with the press.

The Eastwood MSP said: "Normally it's our football that embarrasses, not our behaviour.

"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."