Red Mist
Everton fan holding CHILD joins brawl as Ashley Williams fights Lyon players in on-field scrap
Chaos engulfed Europa League tie at Goodison Park when Williams needlessly barged Lyon goalkeeper to the ground
THIS is the disgraceful moment an Everton yob — carrying a dummy-sucking child — attacks Lyon keeper Anthony Lopes during a shameful 20-player brawl.
Everton face a Uefa probe after the sickening scenes, involving players and fans, marred last night’s 2-1 Europa League defeat.
13
13
13
13
The second-half melee was sparked by Toffees captain Ashley Williams’ forearm smash into Lopes’ stomach, sending him crashing into advertising boards.
Players brawled in front of the crowd as fans in the stand — including the child-carrying dad — dashed to get involved and started lashing out.
He TWICE hit Lopes in the face, while Williams threw TWO punches and striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin grabbed defender Kenny Tete by the throat.
Even young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford sprinted the length of the pitch to join in.
13
13
13
13
And Williams then had to be hauled away by a member of Everton’s coaching staff.
Merseyside Police said in a statement: "Merseyside Police can confirm officers are investigating following a disturbance on the pitch during a football match between Everton and Lyon at Goodison Park last night, Thursday 19 October.
"Detectives will be reviewing footage and speaking to witnesses to establish what, if any, offences have been committed.
"Anyone with information which could assist the investigation is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 0151 777 4065 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
EUR BAD: Everton vs Lyon tickets ditched by burglars who rob office building of everything but seats to see the Toffees play
Former Goodison defender Martin Keown accused Williams of stirring up crowd violence.
He said: “Williams has incited trouble with the fans and the stewards got involved.
“The referee should be sending people off.
“There is a professional line which you don’t cross and they have.”
Incredibly, Williams refused to apologise.
He said: "It's high emotions. We want to win the game, they want to win the game and stuff happens.
“It’s football, it is what it is. It’s one of those times.”
Latest Everton news
13
13
Even under-fire boss Ronald Koeman would not condemn Williams or his players.
He said: "There was a certain irritation in that moment by Ashley because he's that player who likes to win and who cannot deal with a lot of disappointments.
"But I think the mistake was also by the referee because they make a lot of theatre and he did nothing.
Do you know the Everton fan? Call the Sun Newsdesk on 0207 782 4104
"Fekir was I think 10 times on the floor diving [and] not even a yellow card. And that grows our irritation and even extra time... It's five minutes. We had six substitutes and that's three minutes.
"We had the fight and that was maybe two minutes and they had I think eight times injuries in the game and it's five minutes... come on, please."
Dutch referee Bas Nijhuis only booked Williams and Lyon’s Bertrand Traore for the fiasco.
But former World Cup referee Graham Poll blasted: “Williams should definitely have seen red — he completely lost his head.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman comments on refereeing and on field fight after Europa League clash with Lyon
13
13
13
“The initial offence, the push on the goalkeeper, was a yellow, which the referee saw.
“The follow-up was worthy of far more and I expect Uefa to act on video evidence.”
Only minutes later, Williams headed home to cancel out a sixth-minute penalty from Nabir Fekri.
But Traore notched the winner to leave Everton bottom of Group E.
After the game, he told L'Equipe: "In these heated moments, like the fight, we have to help each other, stay as a team. That's what I tried to do.
"There's a supporter who puts a blow to Anthony Lopes. It's not normal. I defended him."
Lopes added: “I don’t know if it’s part of the English atmosphere to hit an away player, but it was like this.”
The scenes were the last thing Koeman needs, with his job now hanging by a thread.
The Dutchman is fighting for his position, a day after SunSport revealed Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez had turned down an approach to take over.
It is not the first time crowd trouble has marred Everton’s Europa League bid.
In their play-off with Hajduk Split at Goodison in August, away fans surged at the pitch and threw objects, including seats, forcing play to be halted. The Croatians were fined £35,348 and Everton £8,837 for the incident.
