Europa League referee for Everton’s 2-1 loss to Lyon reveals he mocked Toffees goal threat in argument with Ronald Koeman
At the final whistle Koeman marched towards Bas Nijhuis to express his disgust that just five minutes injury-time were added
THE Dutch referee who officiated Everton's 2-1 Europa League loss to Lyon has revealed the mocking comments he made to a furious Ronald Koeman at full-time.
As the final whistle blew on another defeat for the Toffees, Koeman marched to referee Bas Nijhuis to complain that only five minutes of injury-time had been added.
The Dutch manager obviously believed injury stoppages, plus a lengthy period of time for the Ashley Williams-sparked melee warranted more minutes being played.
But Nijhuis, speaking on Dutch TV, has defended his decision, and scoffed at Everton's goalscoring threat.
He said: "Koeman entered the pitch to complain that I only added five minutes.
“He wanted to have ten minutes or maybe longer.
"I told him that he can come to the middle of the pitch for the show but that if we had been playing for 15 minutes, Everton still would not have scored.”
Bertrand Traore’s winner just seven minutes after Ashley Williams’ equaliser left Everton rock bottom of Group E with just one point from three games so far.
BANNED Everton ban fan caught on TV punching Lyon goalkeeper while holding toddler
But things could be set to get even worse for the crisis-hit Toffees, who host Arsenal on Sunday in the Premier League.
SunSport reported earlier today that Everton players are set to be called on by police to be witnesses over the punches thrown by a fan at Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.
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The Toffees supporter, holding a young child at the time, was seen launching a series of blows on the Portuguese No1 during the chaos at Goodison Park.
The brawl Goodison Park ensued after Ashley Williams appeared to catch Lopes with his forearm - sparking a mass scrap on the pitch.
Everton were horrified by the scenes and said in a statement they would be taking the strongest possible action against the fan.
