Everton hit hard by FA for pitch invasions

Everton have been handed a heavy fine totalling £300,000 for the two incursions onto the pitch by supporters against Crystal Palace during the club’s emotional win over the Eagles in May.
Fans came onto the field in the 85th minute when Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the dramatic winner at the Gwladys Street End, a goal that secured Everton’s place in the Premier League, and then again in celebration after the final whistle.
Though there were no physical altercations between supporters and opposition players, in a statement the Football Association cited threatening and violent behaviour from fans as justification for the unprecedented financial penalty, a reference, perhaps to goading of Patrick Vieira that prompted the Palace manager to kick out at one individual.
Merseyside Police spoke to both Vieira and the supporter and, along with the FA, took no action over the incident at the time but, in an apparent attempt to show a strong hand in trying to crack down on pitch invasions, the game’s governing body have acted retroactively with a steep fine.
The incidents at Goodison Park in May were just one instance of fans pouring into the pitch after a game — similar incidents occurred at Nottingham Forest, with one supporter charged for assault for a head-butt on Sheffield United’s Billy Sharpe, and Manchester City where opposition goalkeeper Robin Olsen was confronted by home fans.
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2 Posted 30/09/2022 at 12:47:25
3 Posted 30/09/2022 at 12:48:48
4 Posted 30/09/2022 at 12:50:35
5 Posted 30/09/2022 at 12:51:04
6 Posted 30/09/2022 at 12:59:56
Those there know there was no malicious intent, just an outpouring of emotion.
I get that we need security and safety, but I've seen pitch invasions on footage from when we won the league in 1970. The infamous Evertonian on the footage from the 1966 Cup Final. The 1984 Highbury Semi Final and Villa Park the following 2 years.
Don't let the men in grey suits kill the passion.
7 Posted 30/09/2022 at 13:14:54
8 Posted 30/09/2022 at 13:27:35
And the Police being fined for "Failing to control the fans"... that public space being their zone of operation.
Fine is a nice earner too.
9 Posted 30/09/2022 at 13:28:52
Just like in Brussels in 1985. Nothing to see here. Let's airbrush this one.
Excuse my bitterness and French even though I'm not going to use the word I'm thinking of.
We are fortunately better than that.
Same city. Different worlds.
10 Posted 30/09/2022 at 13:33:41
11 Posted 30/09/2022 at 13:46:07
The only flashpoint was the loon who thought it was a good idea to bait Vieira. Vieira wasn't bothered about any potential threat, he chose to ‘stroll' off through the supporters when he could have sought a safer route.
Maybe they need to make out that Vieira was threatened to justify him getting zero punishment for snapping and going after his tormentor?
12 Posted 30/09/2022 at 13:50:54
Apart from the one incident where a fan was attacked by the opposing team manager (of course, he was fined heavily too wasn't he? Oh that's right... no...
Where we the first to be made examples of? What about Man City then? Or every other pitch invasion?
Corrupt is a dirty word. But you cannot ignore the fact that yet again, when the FA want to be seen to come down heavy and play the whip hand, who gets hit first... Stuff this for a game of soldiers... Refuse to pay.
13 Posted 30/09/2022 at 13:55:30
One of the greatest nights ever at Goodison, probably second only to the famous Bayern Munich game. I still watch highlights of it every now and then, just to feel the shivers down my spine.
Sure, winning things is great, but nothing gets the blood going more than narrowly escaping disaster.
Ah ok, forget Bayern, it was the most incredible night I've had at Goodison in fifty years of attending. ٦? I'd pay ten times that.
14 Posted 30/09/2022 at 14:04:24
So come on, FA, City was the use of violence and threatening behaviour... that's got to mean they get the points deductions or much bigger fine?
15 Posted 30/09/2022 at 14:14:58
My anger matches yours over this massive fine for a 99.9% fans celebration of winning an important game.
Man City and Nottm Forest cases are coming soon, let's see how their fines match Everton's.
16 Posted 30/09/2022 at 14:43:23
17 Posted 30/09/2022 at 14:51:41
As Dave says, let's wait and see what Man City and Forest are fined.
18 Posted 30/09/2022 at 14:54:47
Does it not matter when a pitch invasion occurs – whether it is at the start or in the middle or at the end of the season, it is still a pitch invasion?
19 Posted 30/09/2022 at 14:57:33
By the end they where in genuine admiration of the atmosphere and joining in with the Evertonians. What a night as the song goes.
Let fans be fans. It's our club and our game.
20 Posted 30/09/2022 at 15:16:11
You were very naughty for your fans displaying such emotion at avoiding relegation. The same fans did not hurt anyone or cause any damage. However, we need to punish you by fining the club 𧷤,000.
This is all good news, The fine is nothing in today's terms from the money generated by the Premier League... Norwich finished bottom and earned 𧴜m.
Let's see what happens with the other clubs before complaining too much. Not sure what will happen with Forest as they were stiil in the Championship at the time.
21 Posted 30/09/2022 at 15:24:13
In that case, I am expecting a full hands on punishment for the RS following the three pitch invasions at the recent women's Merseyside Derby. Was only one person each time, but as I say, a pitch invasion is a pitch invasion!
23 Posted 30/09/2022 at 15:44:56
24 Posted 30/09/2022 at 15:55:56
Also have to make a point of plucky little Everton. Feck the FA.
25 Posted 30/09/2022 at 15:56:31
26 Posted 30/09/2022 at 16:03:31
27 Posted 30/09/2022 at 16:09:24
Even TalkSport that evening were saying it was one of the best atmospheres they had ever seen after a match.
One idiot goaded Viera who then assaulted him. Everything else was a glorious event.
As others are saying I wonder what will happen to Man City? A player was assaulted that night.
Totally OTT.
28 Posted 30/09/2022 at 16:48:37
The post-game one was fantastic and hardly an "invasion". Look at all the players who stayed out there with the fans. Lampard too.
29 Posted 30/09/2022 at 17:03:45
30 Posted 30/09/2022 at 17:04:20
31 Posted 30/09/2022 at 17:07:05
I can imagine the scene in the FA Boardroom. Disgraceful, blah blah. Totally unacceptable, blah blah. We have to make an example of them, blah blah. What did we fine Lampard for telling the truth again? 㿊,000. Oh let's just add a nought to that then eh.
I said at the time of Lampard's fine that we should take the FA to the Court for Arbitration for Sport for failing to uphold its rules and officiating of matches in a fair and consistent manner and clearly favouring some clubs over others.
The Putinite FA feel able to do whatever they like. I'm anticipating another hefty fine for failing to protect our supporters from assaults by Viera and Ronaldo.
Will Manchester United ever get a significant sanction for their supporters getting a match postponed through an invasion before a ball was even kicked? Be interesting to see what Man City get for an actual assault on a player, as others have said.
We should come out fighting and show these corrupt bastards for what they are. They are still bitter about their failure to get us relegated despite the best efforts of their 'impartial' officials and the VAR.
32 Posted 30/09/2022 at 17:28:02
33 Posted 30/09/2022 at 17:34:10
34 Posted 30/09/2022 at 17:38:38
The FA management has always been the home of the stuff-shirted chinless wonders and still is. Now headed up by Mark Bullingham on a basic salary of 𧹈k. Same guy who said workers on 45p per hour are delighted to be working (and dying) building stadiums in Qatar.
If we don't expect any logic in their decisions, we won't be disappointed. Idiots in charge, what's new?
36 Posted 30/09/2022 at 17:53:16
It was relief, you fools. Sheer relief. But yes, let's find the club that's already loaded with debt a third of a million pounds.
What a vile organisation the FA is. From their virtue signalling hopeless national manager, to the corrupt incompetents behind the scenes.
37 Posted 30/09/2022 at 18:06:09
38 Posted 30/09/2022 at 18:07:42
39 Posted 30/09/2022 at 18:32:56
Another pathetic FA response.
40 Posted 30/09/2022 at 18:37:05
In an unprecedented show of support, the fans decided weeks before that heaven and earth would be moved to get us over the line. It was a mobilization of an esprit de corps that inspired the team both home and away – the alternative of sullen acquiescence as per "ordinary" clubs never figured. When the battle was won, no one was going to stop those fans.
If someone had said "𧷤k and you stay up" in those darkest of times none involved at this club would have argued against.
41 Posted 30/09/2022 at 19:27:38
42 Posted 30/09/2022 at 19:42:00
Rules are rules, but come on.
Anyway, it's happened. It will happen again, even if it's not Everton. We move on.
43 Posted 30/09/2022 at 19:59:01
Some right killjoys running football at the minute. It's not like the '80s anymore. We have generations of fans celebrating with players and the manager.
The lad that tied himself to the post got a 6-week jail sentence; there are real criminals walking free as there is no room for the fuckers.
The game has long gone, controlled by bureaucrats.
44 Posted 30/09/2022 at 20:16:32
Everton must make a stand but, whether they do or don't, it further hastens my dismay and concern for the good health of football in the UK in terms of fair play and consistency.
Man City should get whacked at least the same but let's see.
Anyway an interesting day and down the ground works of St Johns Beacon and St Johns Market today, plenty of history to see.
But on for 3 points tomorrow, at Soton, and I hope that there's no take over this side of the next close season, and if there's any new ownership deals, it's part only, and is a low supporting split ownership venture to boost capex etc for BMD.
45 Posted 30/09/2022 at 20:34:27
It's amazing to me that the clubs, managers and players just accept these fines with hardly a murmur, maybe it just shows how much money Is in the game and although to us it's Brewsters, it's small chips to those in the game.
Let's see if Everton appeal.
46 Posted 30/09/2022 at 20:40:17
Playing well is the best revenge. Let us make a damn nuisance of ourselves this season, disrupting the entitled consensus.
The bond between fans, manager and team was forged that night against Palace and our near-dead soul was revived.
What do any of these traffic wardens know about that?
47 Posted 30/09/2022 at 20:59:04
48 Posted 30/09/2022 at 21:44:36
“So how many of us need to jump the fence at Anfield to get them a similar fine?â€
Kris, you can count me out. Away fans are in the upper tier only. I'm not jumping down from there!
49 Posted 30/09/2022 at 21:48:07
50 Posted 30/09/2022 at 22:04:08
51 Posted 30/09/2022 at 22:08:41
52 Posted 30/09/2022 at 22:10:20
53 Posted 30/09/2022 at 22:29:40
The Palace game was fantastic, it truly galvanised us as a club and we are starting to see green shoots as a part of that. Nothing the authorities do can change it so fuck them.
Anyway, more important stuff and onto St Mary's tomorrow, full of hope although losing Nathan P is a blow. No reason we can't get a result and keep the momentum moving forward.
UTFT!
54 Posted 30/09/2022 at 23:04:36
55 Posted 01/10/2022 at 06:21:58
Challenge it Everton. Don't be an easy scapegoat for the powers that be.
Merseyside Police and the Stewards handled it perfectly in my opinion. If you were there and if you watch the footage, it was well controlled once it happened. They made a decision that it was better to let it happen and coordinate it rather than try to prevent it.
You'll always get an idiot. I often stand near one or two. If they want to kick off, they can do it in the stands. But 99.9% are sensible people just there to enjoy the football and the occasion.
Authorities being seen to be doing something. Let's see if they treat everyone as equals and apply the same.
Let's get down to St Mary's.
56 Posted 01/10/2022 at 08:28:28
57 Posted 01/10/2022 at 08:59:17
58 Posted 01/10/2022 at 09:24:24
61 Posted 01/10/2022 at 14:35:08
62 Posted 01/10/2022 at 17:27:18
The FA will announce that "After further consideration, we think the fine for Everton was too harsh, so we've decided to fine CIty and Forest ٣,000 each. The Everton fine will remain. But we have decided that if there is ever another event of this nature, teams will be fined 10 times their previous penalty."
63 Posted 01/10/2022 at 18:36:23
That really made me chuckle. I've forwarded it to mates on WhatsApp.
64 Posted 01/10/2022 at 22:26:24
Be interesting to see what fine City and Forest pick up when both opposing teams, had a player man handled on the pitch, not sure with Forest being a Championship team at the time might influence that one, but City should certainly be picking up a bigger fine, than Everton.
Peaceful celebrations on the pitch, big fine.
Team Coach attacked with bricks, bottles and flares, just over enthusiastic fans, 㿀,000 fine..
Two instances yet only a 㿈,000 fine for both for that shower, so even if you take into account of 2 pitch invasions at the Palace game, still works out 𧵎,000 per instance.
How can they justify fining Everton, 15 times more than those shower across the park.
65 Posted 02/10/2022 at 00:09:43
On the same principle, how Thiago Silva was not sent off today, it was the same as Van Dijk on Onana in the derby.
UTFT!
66 Posted 02/10/2022 at 12:46:18
And some say the media is not obsessed with them
67 Posted 02/10/2022 at 12:49:26
68 Posted 04/10/2022 at 01:40:22
On the same basis, the same ref who failed to send Van Dijk off, sent off the Spurs player yesterday, saying it was above the ankle.
It does not end there, Gallagher then justified the sending off saying they are coming down on tackles above the ankle, to which he was then questioned about the Van Dijk tackle, to which he said he has learnt since then.
So is the ref watch Gallagher saying the ref learned from his previous mistake on not sending Van Dijk off? Oh no, he then said Van Dijk was a yellow card and the Spurs challenge above the ankle was a Red.
You could not make it up.
69 Posted 04/10/2022 at 13:10:44
Kenwright is quick enough to blow smoke up Liverpool's backside to appear popular, it's time he stood up for Everton fans for a change.
If you let people walk all over you, you end up with a pitiful, cowardly club. Like us last season.
72 Posted 05/10/2022 at 10:54:32
73 Posted 07/10/2022 at 10:00:59
I know they have been charged, so we wait with baited breath for a hefty fine winging its way to the Etihad, not that any fine will leave a hefty hole in their sky rocket!
74 Posted 07/10/2022 at 15:36:46
75 Posted 07/10/2022 at 15:57:52
I can only assume we were fined more for two pitch invasions, but don't see how attacking an opposing player can result in a lesser fine? The FA are nothing more than a bunch of shithouse corrupt bastards.
76 Posted 08/10/2022 at 12:45:43
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1 Posted 30/09/2022 at 12:44:07
Hopefully a hoax; if not, it seems very harsh.