Everton could face punishment for fan punch during Europa League melee

Published on: 19 October 2017

A second-half brawl sparked both offences as Lyon's 2-1 victory heaped more pressure on Ronald Koeman and Everton. Everton and Lyon traded blows, two goals and a bust-up involving a fan - all within the space of ten minutes of their Europa League tie.

Everton could face punishment from UEFA after a fan holding a child appeared to aim a punch at a Lyon player during a second-half melee at Goodison Park.

Toffees skipper Ashley Williams' push on goalkeeper Anthony Lopes ignited a heated confrontation between several Everton and Lyon players which continued off the pitch and in front of the Howard Kendall Gwladys Street End.

While players continued to push each other in front of the fans, one Everton supporter, who was holding a child, appeared to push Lopes' head and seemed to aim a punch in the direction of the keeper and defender Mouctar Diakhaby.

The Lyon players noticed that and shouted in his direction before things eventually cooled down.

A heated confrontation ignited between Everton and Lyon players.

Referee Rob van de Ven produced a yellow card for Williams and Lyon striker Bertrand Traore, with the former fortunate to perhaps escape further punishment having raised his hand in Lucas Tousart's face.

Williams went on to head in an equaliser for Everton soon after but Traore's winner consigned the Toffees to a 2-1 defeat.

The Wales international played down the incident after the game.

"It's what happens, it's football. It is what it is," Williams told BT Sport 2.

"It's high emotions. We want to win the game, they want to win the game and stuff happens. That was just one of those times."

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll is certain Williams and Everton will not have heard the last of the incident.

Writing for the Daily Mail, he said: "Ashley Williams and Everton will surely face further sanction from UEFA once video evidence is studied.

"Williams totally lost the plot.

"There were numerous players from both teams involved in the melee behind the Lyon goal and even a fan from the Everton section at the Gwladys Street end became involved - first pushing then appearing to aim a punch at a Lyon player.

"The fact that a couple of Everton backroom staff had to enter the field to calm Williams down showed how out of control the captain was and, while their intervention helped, they should not enter the field of play.

"The UEFA delegate and referee's observer will have met with the official after the game and discussed their findings before submitting individual reports. Unless the referee ill-advisedly says he saw everything, sanctions really must follow.''

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Source: espn.co.uk

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