Thierno Barry points out “unacceptable behaviour” after loss at Emirates

What did he really think the response would be when his Arsenal-supporting mates started celebrating Arsenal goals amongst rival fans?

Absolutely mental move by Barry this -- and again drives home to me that he's both poorly advised and not the sharpest tool in the box.

This, I'm afraid is all on you, Mr Barry. You chose to put yourself, your own friends and fans in a situation where all come under scrutiny.

Not condoning the violence but such stupidity is met with reactions like that all over the world and his friends should've known better.

Probably like Barry -- not a brain cell amongst them. Join them next week, lad, as you are useless and brainless on the pitch.

I might add that, if I hadn't watched Barry all season, then after hearing this news, I would have thought he was a plant.

What an absolute fool. I am also am in no way condoning the attack on his friends either -- however, I wasn't there, so I won't pass judgement on our fans.

Just what Everton, Moyes, and the fans didn't need. The press and authorities will have a field day with this -- points deduction incoming?

What did he think was going to happen? It's exactly why segregation is implemented in stadiums. I'm also sure our supporters were given a genial reception when leaving the ground by the cockneys and assisted by Police for safety... not!

What an absolute moron this fella is. I cannot support him in any way going forward. Moyes now has a complete shit show to manage and contain. A possible explosive situation next time this fixture takes place.

An incredibly pretentious, stupid, disrespectful action by someone who needs to grow up -- and leave Everton.

If his friends were black, then at the very least we all will be branded racist Neanderthals... At worst, the club will be hauled over the coals with the usual punishment.

Like those friends of Barry would have all had little handshakes from sitting amongst fans of the other 19 clubs in the Premier League… not! — or, for that matter, any European club.

Word of advice to Mr Barry:

If you are still here next season, fella, and Millwall get promoted, don't start throwing any mates in with them who might actually cheer an Everton goal if you still play for us because the consequences will be far worse than yesterday.

As I say… braindead.

Decent supporters do not harass other people, or chase one of their own players down the road after a match, or disrespect a player's wife!!!

Not aimed at anyone or anything in particular, it's just always been my view that prevention is always better than cure.

Yes, Barry should have known better, but pissed-up blokes fighting is not on.

Who gives a fuck if his friends support Arsenal? It doesn't give the gobshite element of our support the right to punch them. I hope whoever assaulted them is arrested, charged and banned from football grounds. Grow up, for fuck's sake.

This apparently did not concern Barry beforehand, too late to be outraged now! Missing from his inevitable Instagram message is acceptance of his (and his friends') role in a situation leading to public disorder on the terraces.

He hasn't got the credit in the bank with the management team or supporters to ride this out. Find a club who'll have him and replace with better (not Beto).

Enter 3 Arsenal stewards who spoke with them while Everton fans were telling them to take them somewhere else. They never did and the only chance they had then was the game ending 0-0... simple.

Arsenal stewards could have avoided all this but chose not to.

What you need to realize is, if you sat in any home end in this league and start celebrating a winning goal late on, you are going to come in for some very heavy attention; trust me, we've all seen it over the years.

Nobody can condone violence, but it will never go away. Those friends of Barry could have been supporting Arsenal sat amongst any of the other fans in the league, it would have been the same snarled response. Imagine sat amongst Spurs, West Ham, Chelsea fans -- would it be any different?

It's the nature of the beast at football matches unfortunately.

Barry should have known better than to expect his mates to start cheering a goal and expect people fueled by alcohol and passions already running high in a big game, to have just had no reaction.

As I say, how poorly advised can you get?

Imagine Duncan Ferguson's best friend celebrating an Everton goal in the Stretford End or at the old Upton Park?

If anyone didn't see this outcome coming, then dear me, how naive can you get.

The world, more than ever now, is a very very angry place.

I hope for the sake of the club, our fans and the correct apportionment of blame for this happening, that you personally send your eye-witness statement to the police contact quoted above.

It might not do any good as the subtext here is already very clear for Everton and Evertonians to be punished for this nonsense that Barry himself created and the Arsenal stewards failed to prevent when they could have done so.

It's that casual acceptance of what should be unacceptable that is the problem. Not condoning, perhaps, but far too permissive.

Tony, the prevention should be people conditioned not to become violent when annoyed, not to get angry when disappointed. It's not easy... but it is possible.

I have some good friends that are Hammers fans and I would not dream of joining them in their end; meet them for a beer after, no problem.

Complete lack of commom sense and understanding of the passion of away fans in football.

There are some drunken idiots at the football but some of the policing and stewarding definitely borders on criminal, just because they wear a uniform.

My guess is that they told the stewards it was okay because they had received the tickets from an Everton player; even though they were supporting Arsenal, this would have satisfied the stewards.

It's still out of order though, and the main reason I could never get my head around football hooliganism. A fight is a fight, but a mob against a couple of people is what I personally regard as shithouse behaviour.

Nothing has changed despite the so-called progression of humanity, and frankly it never will.

That's why doing things to avoid it is the best way of working around it now.

What Barry did was pure cause and effect, unfortunately.

Apparently Barry tried to put them in the Arsenal end, but missed.

Not many of them would have the courage to duck under the ropes.

Was it handbags? Did a "mob" of Bluenoses batter a couple of Gooners? Just asking...

And the outcome is: Go and rip off another club. You're shit, and a sulking little miserable baby with an attitude problem.

I said since Day 1, he's shit... this is the final nail in the coffin. I'm not condoning the behaviour but I fully blame this twat for putting Arsenal fans in danger.

Leave our club, your shit.

Theirno, lad, football has been a voracious, tribal, intensely passionate way of life for millions of fans for many decades, even more so for the dedicated away fans who somehow find the money to support their teams.

If you haven't got the fucking common sense and awareness to understand what the potential outcome may have been, then this is on you as much as the people who reacted to this.

This is the real world, lad -- not your little wishy, washy cossetted view of it -- and unfortunately shit like this can and will happen.

Why is it a problem with football? I suppose it's a problem now because it's become accepted that rival supporters don't mix.

I suppose it's like life, it's the few % that cause all the problems for everybody else.

But sadly times have changed where football encouraged by Sky has become more tribalistic and fans are segregated mainly because of the fan violence of the '70s.

I don't think there is any justification for any fan attacking another, but Barry should have had more sense than putting family and friends in a precarious position.

I am sure, with the money he earns, he could have contacted Arsenal and paid for his family and friends to be wined and dined in a hospitality area.

"I'm thinking of getting tickets for some mates that support Arsenal, but can only find them available for the Everton section, is this a good idea or shall I leave it for another time?"

When has it ever been a good idea to go and sit amongst rival fans?

I'd never do it, and I wouldn't buy anyone tickets for any home end in any country across Europe, because I'd know the risk involved.

Play stupid games, then win stupid prizes.

Wasn't there trouble at a Warrington v Widnes friendly at Christmas were one unfortunate lad ended up in hospital?

I'm sure they got a right taste of what we are about... 😂 😂 😂

Barry, lad, just leave please! I'd take Arouna Kone back in a heartbeat… Apostolos Vellios anyone?

How do I know?

The fact is, it is a problem at football and always has been; it's not something new, is it?

That's why, if I am involved in football, either a fan or a player, I should be clued up enough to know how to be savvy in this line of business.

As I say, you can't change the world from what it is; nobody likes it, nobody agrees with it... but it is what it is.

Just like you won't enter Iran and tell them to stop fighting.

What sort of moron puts people in danger like this clown did?

Our fans up to the point of the 89th minute were more than happy with the team's performance, only for it to be cruelly snatched off us, so it was obvious people were going to be pissed off.

Not condoning it all but 3 gobshites celebrating in front of you is bound to get people's backs up.

I will say this, though: I wonder if them 3 Arsenal fans would like to sign Barry in the summer? No? Thought not.

Hopefully it's his “Maupay“ moment and we don't see him again as he's useless.

Bin him, give him a free round of golf with Joey Barton, but don't put a blue shirt on him again, please.

That's the final straw for this imbecile masquerading as a professional footballer.

I go must away games and all home and it costs us all lots of money. This twat gives his free tickets to opposing team's fans, then slags us -- the people who pay his wages and for their free tickets!

We all need to make a stand on this next game: Boo him every touch... but we should do that anyway, really -- he's dogshit.

Leave now, you tosser. You're an embarrassment to our club and your profession.

I have sat among home supporters on many occasions using players' comps.

He obviously did not know the implications or he would not have put his mates in danger.

Much of his struggling is not from a lack of physical coordination, it is from a lack of sharp thinking. He gets caught off balance because he cannot process complexity in the moment.

Perhaps it is a lack of maturity but I am not giving the benefit of the doubt. Dude talks too much for the output he delivers.

Sorry about yer mates, but that's all I've got for ya, kid.

Slagging off your own fans? Yes, it is a big deal.

It's unforgivable slagging off your own fans for your own mistakes and disrespectful to the hardworking people paying your wages.

This is a general message that should go to all supporters. Was it given to Barry's mates when they purchased the tickets? And if not, why not? Or where they too stupid to realise there was a sensitivity in sitting amongst Everton fans???

Did he slag our fans?

His stupid friends showed zero respect to the Everton fans yesterday. Watch the game and don't celebrate!

Barry slagging off Everton fans is a disgrace! Hope he leaves the club.

He's pointed out it's unacceptable for his mates.

A silly mistake made but obviously he did not realise the consequences or he surely would not put his mates in that position.

If you're going to go in there, shut your mouth and sit down — end of.

The club should be disciplining him for giving tickets to away supporters He should shut his mouth too and hang his head in shame at how shit he is.

Walk the walk or, if you're talking, the talk. And by the way, one of the punches landed on the big mouths was from a very good boxer who went under the ropes many times like myself.

Who was it you boxed fort? Wind your neck in mate and support your club.

"The boxer" should have more self control, unless the other lad threw the first punch or looked set to.

If they got whacked for jumping up for a goal it’s out of order.

If they started it they got what you’re bound to get off people of this city.

Which they have — enough said.

If they did, I'm happy with the outcome.

They twigged on to the fact that my son and I were Blues despite our efforts to keep it quiet. They gave us a verbal ribbing for the rest of the game, but they didn't lay into us like those shit-houses did those three fans.

'I would like to speak one last time regarding the incident that occured after the match.

'Some of the information circulating does not reflect reality. Contrary to what has been suggested, I never gave tickets to Arsenal supporters. The people who were present to support me have always followed the clubs I have played for throughout my career, from Beveren to Basel, through Villarreal and now Everton.

'Yesterday, some of them were even wearing an Everton shirt with my name on it.

'During the match, they were approached twice by supporters who asked whether they were supporting the opposing team. They clearly stated that this was not the case and that they were there to support me.

'Furthermore, the people visible in some of the videos are not members of my family. They are relatives of another player from the team. Unfortunately, they were confronted by a group of supporters who mistakenly believed they were celebrating Arsenal's goal. The stewards present witnesses the scene, my friends were insulted, how is that even possible?'

I simply want to remind everyone that violence has no place in football, regardless of the circumstances.”

'An investigation is currently underway, and I have full confidence in the relevant authorities to establish the facts. Out of respect for this process, I will not make any further comments.'

Barry should be fined, and not allowed any more tickets. In all fairness, no player at any club would be that stupid to give friends tickets for the away end, who support the home team… Gobshite.

There are many people who, like you, Steve, were at the game and have also said these three were jumping up and down everywhere when Arsenal scored and singing "Champions!" before the fracas.

There will be many many different stories... but they were celebrating Arsenal winning -- of that there is no doubt.

Disappointing, at worst have a word in their ear and tell them to be quiet, why the violence?

Do you think celebrating a goal is good reason to be punched?

I had a similar experience in the Kop. A red mate dragged me along; I think it was Uefa against Auxerre or Celta Vigo. I tried to stay incognito but, when the RS conceded, I instinctively raised a fist and said “Yes!”

I got a lot of dirty looks but no punches. It was more like they were disgusted an infidel was among them.

It's not the fans I'm upset with -- it's the shit player giving tickets in our hardworking lads' end to celebrate another team's goals.

Like I have also said, there's loads of different stories... that's life. There is one I've heard of one of the three screaming "Peasants!" at Everton fans.

Two sides to every story but that useless twat who calls himself a footballer is to blame initially.

A great family of Blues. All the best, mate.

But I also don't believe a word from that French so-called striker who hasn't got the balls to admit he gave tickets to his friends who celebrated Arsenal winning. He should take full responsibility and thank his lucky stars he's getting paid handsomely by a great club and the best supported club with the best fans in the country.

He let us down twice yesterday: the ticket giveaways and the countless ball giveaways during his 20 minutes of awful but usual cameo.

Do one, Barry -- you don't deserve the shirt or us. You're a fraud and spineless sulking disrespectful piece of shit. If you hear constant booing being directed at you by one individual, it's me who pays good hard earned money to watch you disgrace my great club, week-in & week-out.

So why didn't the stewards remove them from the away end, as the away fans told them? That would have avoided all the aggro, simple as.

Going by his post, Barry is telling lies.

I am aware of quite a few that have, no questions asked. I hope it doesn't turn ugly on the day.

Worst thing about some of the comments on this thread is the absolute venom towards the player. If the lad was ripping up trees and really delivering for us, would the level of contempt for his friends be so high?

His friends should never have been in the away end. There is a reason why supporters are segregated. And you know if you ever are in that situation, you keep your mouth shut.

Hopefully Barry learns from this and apologises, and Everton fans forgive him.

It's a bit harsh to call him a liar.

Likely scenario if his mates are French but they're probably not Everton supporters and quite likely Arsenal fans based on the Wenger French connection.

But it's also possible he told them “Behave, come and support my team.” They didn't behave... now, they're giving him BS excuses and he is believing his mates. When I was his age I had plenty of times mates embarrassed me and or lied about it.

That said, I think this has grown out of proportion. He's not a very good player so many fans are inclined to have a pop at him anyway. So this has turned into a pile-on.

If Seamus Coleman had some dumb ass cousin who did the sane thing, I don't think people would be so quick to run him out of town.

It's not the end of the world, it's regrettable and poorly handled by stewards, the idiot friends, and those who took the bait and went to fisticuffs... but big picture: I don't think it's that big of a deal.

If I was in their position, I'd just stay dumb, mind my own business. They probably didn't think, but maybe Barry should have said nothing?

I still wouldn't have a pop at him over his football ability, never easy to adjust to the Premier League from La Liga.

First, there's his performance after coming on for the heroic Beto, he put us on the back foot about three times in 10 minutes, giving the ball away in key areas. I thought he was the player most responsible for allowing Arsenal to build a period of pressure.

Then there is him having mates celebrating Arsenal''s winner in our end He says, 'No, they were supporting Everton'. Yeah, sure.

Pundits of 20 years ago would have been shaking their heads at his idiocy. Now though, if the wokesters get hold of this, it could run and run.

His globalist schpiel about 'Football is for everyone' and the fact there is a black - white dynamic is catnip to all the bellends swarming around footy, including probably our owners.

And then there is his presumption in lecturing his own fans. Like he is some genius from on high, handing out his verdict on unacceptable behaviour.

I will be surprised if we see him again. Moyes might give him 2 minutes in May but he's gone in the Summer.

I was in the Leeds home end at Elland Road, which is a bit, erm, 'lively' and full of what you'd expect but I did not acknowledge our goals and when the crowd sang "If you all love Lee Bowyer stand up!" I stood up as an act of survival and cowardice.

If you recall, he'd just been charged with racist violence and well, I really don't love him!! But I got to enjoy the game, so it was worth the compromise.

Done it at Man Utd, Wigan, Liverpool, Bolton, Tottenham, Palace, Wimbledon to name a few... some of them were safe to reveal my support; others not so much!

Fair enough.

And while they are it... What's the story with Brainthwaite?

Fast track to yesterday: we, all those that weren't there, can pontificate and spout all the shite "There's no excuse" etc etc... but you have to remember the folk there were totally locked in to a full-on performance done in in the last few minutes.

You get a couple of dickheads celebrating the last minute winners amongst us and people cannot understand how guys would not be enraged?

Bullshit.

Then we have Barry, and let's be honest, if he was our latest Lukaku, Gray, Sharp, Latchford, Young, we may understand... but this guy, so far, has been stealing a living off the club, so who gives a shit what he says?

Slagging guys who spend a fortune in time and money following our club every week all over the country and are great representatives of Everton FC.

Because of his idiocy, we are going to be slagged as a club and supporters, probably ordinary Everton supporters are going to be banned.

To be honest, if I never saw Barry in an Everton shirt again, it wouldn't bother me one jot.

There is a reason why we have laws about not physically assaulting other people and I think those trump supporters getting territorial about the part of someone else's stadium they are accommodated in.

Thierno Barry should only apologise if it turns out his friends actually started throwing punches first. If it's the other way around, he has nothing to apologise for.

There is far too much tolerance of violence in this country nowadays. Yes, it may have been worse at some point in the past, but others have pointed out it has also been far better. It seems we are regressing again and far too many people aren't bothered by that.

Would I whack someone or justify someone whacking someone who celebrated their team winning in the wrong end particularly or perhaps when they were a lonesome few.

If your answer is yes…

Honestly, I've stated how much I detest violence when it's not a fair fight, but I also think it's not easy for everyone to remain calm if they think someone is taking the piss.

I remember a Liverpool fan I knew carrying on shocking at Goodison in the Upper Bullens Road stand after a Merseyside derby many years ago. It was right after the game when McAllister moved the ball forward and scored a last-minute winner.

He was giving out all kinds of abuse, and definitely should have known better because he had his young son with him. I was thinking I would have to go and get involved because he was definitely and deservedly going to come unstuck, but scousers being scousers, he got a walkover. Because he had a young kid with him, I think.

A few weeks later, another red mate of mine was slagging Evertonians, calling them a disgrace for the treatment his mate received after the incident I am explaining now.

I let him finish and asked him, “Seriously, is that we he told you, lad?” "Yeh," he replied, “you're fuckin horrible you Evertonians.”

I shook my head and said to him “Tell him I'm glad I didn't have to get involved against my fellow Evertonians to help him.”

“Why, was it that bad?” he asked. "No, it was worse than that," I said. "He carried on like a proper gobshite, and if he never had his young son with him, I reckon he would have got knocked out and thrown over the fuckin stand."

Always two sides to a story, but I'd be surprised if people who have been watching Barry play for years have been given a smack off Evertonians, because people remember faces at the football.

Yes, they were stupid to celebrate in the Everton end, which makes them morons. No, being a moron doesn't give someone the right to assault you. If they were assaulted, I hope whoever did it gets banned for life.

Quite a few times I've gone to Everton away matches and sat in the home end because I couldn't get away tickets. Done it at maybe 6 different Premier League clubs. Only been rumbled once.

When I was rumbled, the home fans took me to a bar after the game and bought me drinks all night -- wouldn't let me pay for anything. I thought that was classy.

We can't be having this doubling up game. Was it 3 on 3?

It really is that simple.

Couple of tourists in the wrong end... celebrating when their team score in the 89th minute. Not sure they were gobshites...

If we can't tolerate away fans...

But moving away from the Everton game, it's just been confirmed that those self-entitled, self-proclaimed, best supporters in the world, who only ever get behind their team, actually booed the players off today, in the Red Echo!

My list is a bit longer... policemen though!

He has Arsenal supporters among Everton supporters who start celebrating a winning Arsenal goal in the last 10 minutes of the game where Everton had played really well.

Fans must have been gutted then to have the opposition fans celebrating amongst fans who must have been feeling gutted. The last thing they would have wanted was fans celebrating amongst them; that's why fans are separated to stop that kind of emotional reaction.

He's a fucken idiot if he thinks it would be any different in that situation if Arsenal were thumping us or visa versa. It probably would have been tolerated but not when your team loses in the way Everton did.

The sooner we get rid of that fucken dud, the better. Even better, tell him and his mates to get dressed up as Rangers fans and go support them scoring a goal with the Celtic fans.

It also appears from what Barry said is that it was the friends of another of our players, who were attacked, not his friends.

Tempest in a thimble.

Not a good look at all.

In some ways, his second comment is worse than the first. The kindest interpretation is that he gave tickets to some mates to watch him play and they got caught up in the excitement of the late, late, late goal and did a bit of wow jumping around. But that does not tally with some eye-witness comments on here and the earlier attempts to get stewards to sort something out.

Quite frankly, I find Barry's second statement to be more along the lines of: "Le crap, I've made a big nigaud here and I'd mieux try and make myself regarder a bit mieux."

He did insult the loyal fans for who our club means a hundred times more than this irreflechi prima donna. I wouldn't say that giving tickets to mates is faux. But if some of the 3,000 thought that they were Gooners and brought it to the attention of the stewards, then that is good enough for me.

Can I ask if any of us on here who were there and saw things with their own eyes, if one or more of Barry's mates were actually in an Everton shirt. Or is Barry telling porkies to make himself look better?

The fact that he is, well, not very good, and was awful when he came on yesterday, does not help him at all. If 'guilty as charged', he ought to be reprimanded, disciplined, and punished by the club.

Let's see, shall we.

You've got plenty on here saying they've attended games in the wrong section, some even saying they've got their tickets from footballers.

What rules do you think he has broken?

Going back to the 1960s and the Pringle pullover so-called "activists" at many of the 1st Division games. As with most posters here, we shouldn't be condoning violence, but much of the blame should go to Barry's mates and the stewards, who were implored to remove them by Everton fans.

As for Barry himself, OMG - what was he thinking in giving his mates the tickets and, then, blabbering out your whinge about the trouble he'd initiated?

Player Liability: If a player is found to be facilitating this, they would likely face significant action from their club, the Football Association (FA), and the league, as it violates safety guidelines and puts supporters at risk.

There you go, Si, for fuck's sake!

Barry says his friends are not Arsenal supporters.

Barry makes it clear that his friends were challenged and verbally abused when in the away end.

Then we have the film showing a group attack by our supporters (all white) on 3 black supporters.

The optics are absolutely terrible and damaging to the reputation of the club.

I had the same experience at the Emirates during an FA Cup tie under Martinez with my son. He got over-excited when we equalised. The Arsenal fans gave us a bit of friendly stick but were as good as gold.

If he succeeds, the downside is that we will no longer be the crown jewel in our owner's sports portfolio, because the purchase price for the Padres could be six or eight times what he spent for Everton.

On the upside, it might create a cross-marketing opportunity that could benefit Everton in the incredibly lucrative southern California market. The Padres are a cash machine.

Seriously though, are the Silent Friedkins getting the same type of deal with the Padres? Because it's clear they got Everton very cheap and, if they can help build up our club, then they could be sitting on a gold mine.

The biggest "wrong" here was committed by Barry himself. I personally know several people who didn't travel because they couldn't get a ticket. I expect there was thousands more.

What the fuck was he doing denying loyal Evertonians tickets in order to look after his mates who have nothing to do with the club? Why didn't he buy them tickets for one of the home stands if he wanted to treat them? There were far more of them available.

Another question which needs to be answered is: Did he pay for the tickets? While I'm aware that footballers have always had access to freebies, surely it would be unacceptable for today's millionaire footballers to benefit from freebies at the expense of those who are devoted to their team, week-in & week-out.

Twat.

What Premier League team was that at where you were taken to the pub afterwards?

If that's acceptable, it's a sign of the times.

Everton and football don't need them!

It's idiots like them who have caused a situation where it's not advisable to sit among the other team's supporters.

Mistakes in this instance were made all round, but it's a poor state of affairs when you get such extreme reactions.

We can all watch on live stream as tens of thousands of kids get blown to bits in Gaza and carry on quite normally, but then agonise about 'Oh, what have we become!' when a couple of dickheads get in our end and celebrate a last-minute winner and fisticuffs break out?

Footy is a tribaliistic working man's game, they are alll lagered up and wound up to 10. What do people think is going to happen when a load of invited guests start cheering at our demise?

That there was a scuffle is the most predictable event of the weekend. All the opprobrium should be headed in our idiot centre forward's direction,

From the atrocity of genocide to kids being beaten up at a football match.

I suggest we are not now living in some great new enlightened time where boorish behaviour is no longer tolerated. In fact, we've been anaesthetised to a great extent, there's much worse shit going on now than at any time for decades.

We're not advancing in our civilisation, we've regressed. Much better to see someone waking up from the dream, even if only for a few minutes, to object to some injustice in a physical manner, than to watch us all staring dumbly at our screens.

Assumed by whom, Kevin?

If all the black kids were doing was celebrating a goal, then I hope our 'brave' global ambassadors are banned for life!
Those fans should not have been sat in the away end, it is called an away end for a reason. The stewards warned them even before a goal was scored but left them there. Then, after such an effort, they choose to jump up and celebrate.

But the one that kicked it off was, when the second goal went in, they filmed Everton fans leaving and started laughing and mocking them. Acceptable if you are sat in the home end and usually banter, but to do it sat among away supporters was stupid.

Thousands of Evertonians unable to get tickets for away games while one of our own players gets tickets for the away end and sits them in there.

Stephen Naismith used to buy season tickets and donate them to Everton fans struggling -- that's what you call ''class'.

Barry needs to own this and his so calles mates and family.

No.

How on earth anyone can pass such self-righteous judgement on an event they didn't personally witness in full is beyond belief. Of all the posts on this subject, I'm yet to see one from anyone who was actually an eye witness in the immediate vicinity, to not only the event itself, but also the build-up?

Also, despite having no personal knowledge of this specific event, and amateur pacifist, nobody who hasn't actually followed their team away from home for any length of time are qualified to be so judgemental.

I can hardly be described as a football hooligan (being almost 80 years of age, an ex-company director and season ticket holder since I was 17 years old) but I've been subject to occasional derogatory treatment and vile abuse from not only opposition fans, but also stewards and police on more than one occasion over the years

Suffice to say that, without segregation there's one or two who might've got a “slap” along the way? It's easy to judge from a keyboard when you're not there.

Over the years, I've had good humoured football debates with many a fan of different persuasions, both at the game and in the pub. My best friend (a lifelong red season ticket holder since they were in the 2nd Division and who's sadly no longer with us), he had a philosophy of never arguing football with anyone who never went the game, and given some of the unsupported judgemental posts on this site, perhaps he had a point?

He didn't want to come to Everton. It's clear by his attitude he doesn't want to be at Everton, and his performances highlight his disdain to work for Everton.

As has been pointed out, if you give tickets to opposition friends or family to be amongst away supporters, you tell them to keep a lid on it. To behave. To not provoke or antagonise the fervent fans.

Yet that's exactly what they didn't do. You can't go into anywhere where you are clearly unwelcome and shouldn't be. Behave like they did and then become upset because others reacted angrily.

Matters not a jot 'who you are'. From what I have read, their clear stupidity brought about the hostility.

Everton supporters are fantastic. But not every single one of them. The world and humans are not (yet) a generic breed of peaceful automatons.

I've been in the Kop at derbies, amongst home fans at away games. Sadly, Everton lost most of those games so any celebrations causing unwarranted attention was never likely.

However, on the odd occasion we got a result, a silent "Get-in" and a fist punch in my coat pocket were the outcome.

Barry -- stupid is as stupid does.

We don't know exactly what they paid for us, but I agree with you that if TFG executes properly on the Everton business model that we will be one hell of an investment for them. $$$

An earlier poster said he was two rows behind the incident. Can't remember his name.

Here's hoping they throw a few quid our way.

You should post more often. You'd certainly liven this place up.

The only video I have seen shows a black lad throwing a punch at an "assumed" Everton fan and then "assumed" Evertonians behind him getting stuck into him from behind although none of the people were seen as wearing colours.

I don't condone any violence but this seems to have involved a handful of people and does not need Barry going to the media to stir things up further.

I am sure the police will have footage and deal with the offenders appropriately but Barry has shown a lot of naivety coming out and criticising Everton fans and highlighting what could cause the club some difficulties.

This happens all the time, Darren. I know of fervent Kopites who regularly get to enjoy hospitality at Everton home games because one is related to an ex-player. They don't even watch the game, just sup beer throughout.

Life ain't fair, but people getting belted has to have a high bar to be justified. If you can't drink without becoming a thug then perhaps you shouldn't drink at the game?

If Barry's mates did actively mock those around them, then we are getting closer to understanding punches being thrown, but the violence isn't justified just by them being there and enjoying themselves.

There's 'sticks and stones' stuff, and then there are certain slurs that are likely to provoke more than verbal retaliation.

‘Highlighting what could cause the club some difficulties.' I thought I'd read that there was some trouble at the end of the game on a thread well before Barry posted about it?

If it was already public knowledge and presumably under official investigation, I don't see that Barry's comments will make this more troublesome for the club than it already was.

I don't know if stories of them being set on by away fans is true. Stupid to go in the away section and celebrate Arsenal's goals.

We've also seen Blue fans in the home section at away games, and seen them celebrate Everton goals. I don't know if they've then ever been set on by opposition fans, but a goose and a gander are possibly discussing sauce at the moment.

I resisted it at West Ham in 1985 though when we got an equaliser at Upton Park!

I've had to stifle a quiet whoop a few times in home-fan sections at away games but still been sussed. Never beaten up!

Just received an ironic, knowing smile! Maybe a tut-tut here and there!

A more useless, weak as piss, technically inept pair of so-called strikers would be hard to find!!!

I'm convinced that Barry is struggling and trying to blag his way through this. The preponderance of evidence points to Barry's mates being Gooners. It's why I asked if anyone who was there can confirm, as Barry claims, that one of them was wearing our shirt. We should also remember that, long before things turned nasty, Evertonians were asking the stewards to move them.

So, why did the stewards not do their job per club -- and FA -- instructions? And why did Barry's mates not leave at that point and watch their mate be shite for 25 minutes from a safer place?

They and the stewards were idiots for these decisions and, if they had done the sensible thing, nothing would have happened.

Not condoning anything at all but I am suggesting that the violence could have been avoided.

This is a 'better' and longer clip than the one posted earlier. It's tough to watch -- I do note some of ours trying to pull others away and another blue trying to lead one of Barry's Gooner mates away -- and not one of the two being attacked has our shirt on.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/x_Wi8mNNHf4

I know an outside perspective is just that -- a sometimes unwelcome observation from a person who has not grown up in the city.

I have been a frequent visitor over the years but I know I can't lay claim to understanding things in the same way. However, for what it is worth, I have also attended games in several of the European leagues and am generally sports mad so I have seen a lot of different sports cultures and customs.

I would know and respect the local culture and have the cop on not to arrive into an away end and celebrate a home goal. That, if it happened, was enormously stupid.

But to be honest I still find it embarrassing that people would think the best course of action would be to give these idiots a thumping. What does it achieve?

I could, as others have, point to sports where supporters intermingle (Hurling and Gaelic Football being local examples) but that isn't that helpful.

As a chap in my 50s, I tend to be pretty despondent watching fans throwing wanker signs at each other. I understand 'tribal'... 'stupid' is different.

I had a fella sitting next to me in the Upper Bullens at a derby game and I was on to him after a few minutes. He never cheered for either team, nice and quiet, even when Liverpool scored two goals.

He went away at half-time then came back and carried on being as calm as before and after a while I smiled at him and said, “I bet your happy with the score!”

He just nodded and I told him I didn't blame for keeping dumb -- it was the sensible thing to do. Silly that you have to be like that but safer at the same time, although he was under no stress with me.

Him blaming fans, and people on here insisting that, under any circumstances, opposing fans should be able to stand next to each other, doesn't have any basis in the reality recognised by the rule.

He's a terrible player and that is reason enough to get rid of him now. Any hope that he might improve has been snuffed out by this demonstration of just how thick he really is.

Of all the posts on this subject, I'm yet to see one from anyone who was actually an eye witness in the immediate vicinity, to not only the event itself, but also the build-up?

I wonder if I could perhaps suggest you try reading Post 15 from Mark Steers and see how it squares up to your blanket statement about 'all the posts on this subject'?

When Tony was 14 or 15 he was invited to Wembley by Liverpool to watch the League Cup Final v Man Utd with a load of other young lads.

Man Utd scored to lead 1-0 and Tony said that he didn't know how he held back from cheering that goal. I agreed, it must have been hard when it just came naturally to cheer any goal conceded by them, even if they paid for your day out.

Good job he never did though, because those bastards scored three and won the cup!

As we showed our tickets to the stewards to go through the crash barriers, there were two women both wearing Arsenal scarves attempting to enter, but were stopped by the steward. As I finally entered through the turnstile into the stadium, barely a minute could have passed before these same two women also entered the stadium, minus their scarves.

Now without sounding racist, these two women were black, and may or may not have been friends or relatives of Thierno Barry, but the fact is they were definitely Arsenal fans and should therefore have been denied entry to the stadium by the Arsenal steward(s) outside the stadium.

So where did these two women get their tickets from? Being Arsenal fans, it clearly wouldn't have been through the usual selling process by Everton, and it definitely wouldn't have been via Arsenal, so it could only have been through a player, who are usually given complimentary tickets for friends and family members.

And although I never saw these two women again, you can almost bet your bottom dollar that they weren't alone inside the stadium.

Good to hear from you, Rob; hope you're well.

I honestly don't know what applies.

It seems stupid to not have the same rules on segregation but there is a possibility one is seen as potentially more risky. Perhaps the authorities think that Away fans will not be as territorial about their piece of the terracing given that it is essentially ‘shared' with 18 other clubs per season, and given that they are in turn surrounded by much larger numbers of Home fans who are not automatically wading into them when they celebrate?

Thanks for any unambiguous light that can be shed on the subject, fer fucks sake?

All I can find is not clear cut at all: While not strictly prohibited by law, home supporters sitting in the away end is generally not allowed by stadium regulations, is considered unsafe, and can lead to eviction.

Crazy. Segregation is segregation.

Clubs are required to keep away fans together in a designated area, and stewards can remove anyone who is clearly supporting the home team in the away end.

Below is a clear breakdown so you know exactly how it works in practice.

🏟️ Premier League Rules & Stadium Policy

🔒 Segregation is mandatory

• Premier League rules require away supporters to be seated together in a specific block.

• This is for safety, crowd control, and stewarding.

• Clubs must provide a dedicated away section, usually pitchside.

🚫 Home fans cannot buy or use tickets in the away end

• Even if you somehow obtain a ticket, using it as a home supporter in the away section is against stadium regulations.

• If stewards notice you supporting the home team, wearing colours, or celebrating goals, they can:

• Move you to a neutral area (if available), or
• Eject you from the stadium entirely for safety reasons.

👮 What actually happens on matchday?

Clubs take this seriously because mixed seating can spark conflict. Typical outcomes:

• If you're quiet and neutral, you might get through the game unnoticed — but it's still against policy.

• If you show support for the home team, stewards will usually intervene.

• If tensions rise, you can be removed to prevent disorder.

Fans on forums often report being kicked out for celebrating a goal in the wrong end.

🎫 What about the reverse situation?

If an away fan sits in the home end, the same rules apply — they can be removed if they reveal themselves through colours, chants, or celebrations.

✔️ Bottom line

• Official away sections are strictly for away supporters.

• Home fans are not permitted to sit there, even with a valid ticket.

• Enforcement varies by club, but the rule is clear and widely applied.

Now put it to bed, for fuck's sake! 🤦‍♂️ Bambi has broken the rules so let's get fucking rid!

🏟️ Premier League Rules & Stadium Policy
🔒 Segregation is mandatory

Surprised at the club since they would have been near the bottom of the list of clubs I would expect to give a friendly welcome to an Everton fan.

Snug as a bug, all curled up, watching the cheap shoes imitation labels coming in from all sides. Got back up, rubbed myself down, walked down the hill to the station for the ordinary back home.

It is not the same thing at all. While corporate hospitality exists, you will always get the free-loaders. Hospitality is abused by people like your kopite mates in just about every stadium at every match.

The away section is what it says on many tickets and above the turnstiles as you enter. They are meant to be affordable seats for those who travel to see their team -- Paul Murray nails this @143.

In our case, these tickets are always in very high demand. We could easily sell double our allocation for most games. For one of our own players to give them to Arsenal fans is an act of utter betrayal as far as I'm concerned. How fucking dare he?

Without trying to trivialise the violence witnessed by some and caught on camera by others, it is worth noting that nobody died. Nobody was seriously hurt. I've seen worse violence at the January sales.

Barry's fuck-wittery ensured two sets of fans were locked in together for what was a highly charged emotional occasion. In circumstances like that, the very last thing you need is for one group to start goading the other. There is bound to be confrontation.

Once the pushing and shoving starts, it's only a matter of time before a punch or two is thrown. That's the very reason fans are separated in the first place.

Barry is coming across as the arsonist whining about the fire he set getting out of hand. His actions would suggest he is every bit as gormless off the pitch as he is on it.

Let's get one thing straight here: not one Everton fan involved in the fracas knew the Arsenal fans were friends of Barry. They didn't ask them “Are you friends of Thierno Barry” before landing a left hook on them.

To the Everton fans, these people were simply Arsenal fans celebrating Arsenal goals; whether you like it or not, they should not have been in the Everton section. Unfortunately it's the nature of the beast that there would be consequences of their celebrations.

It happened to me a few years ago, funnily enough at Highbury. I went with a girl I knew and her son, and we had complimentary tickets but unfortunately they were for the North Bank end, the home end at Highbury.

The three tickets were right behind the goal, about halfway up, but they weren't together. They were two together and the third about 20 seats along but on the same row. I sat with the girl's son and she sat alone.

If anyone remembers, it was the game were John Collins scored a screamer of a free kick down at the North Bank end. Now before we took our seats, we said "Whatever happens, if we score, don't move or say a word."

So John Collins scored and I hear this cheer to my left. The girl was celebrating just as she was getting one or two sly punches aimed at her and also spat upon.

Her son wanted to get to his mum so I went with him, fearing the worst, getting punched at or kicked. Anyway the police were on the spot quickly and took us out. After asking us where we got our tickets from, they very kindly put us in the Everton section down the other end.

So, whilst I'm not condoning the actions of any Everton fans from last Saturday, as I said, it's the nature of the beast that, if you put home fans in with away fans, then there will be consequences if the home team score.

Despite a friendly conversation attempt by my mate, they were the most miserable and frankly objectionable away fans I have had to sit by. They weren't assaulted in any way, probably because we had the last laugh and beat them.

Anyway glad you survived the assault, Paul! :)

Two young kopite kids,15 or 16, were backed into a corner by 4 Everton adult fans, one of the kids had already been worked out on, had a naughty coggy coming up on his eye.
The kids were crying, terrified. These 4 shitbags were about to give them another going over.

My mate and me stepped in and told them to behave themselves, they were only kids. "You can have it as well if you want."

Long story short, my mate and me accepted their invitation.
You have to do what is right regardless of what club you support.

If the Arsenal fans threw the first punch, they got their answer.

I meant it more that Barry is undoubtedly not the only one who doesn't prioritise ensuring diehard fans get as much opportunity to attend matches as we all think they should.

I also would like to know for sure that he knew he was depriving Evertonians of the opportunity to attend this game by giving those tickets to his mates.

Has the club said anything on the subject?

I say that after many, many years of getting players comps for aways in the 80s, 90s, 2000s etc.

Just talking to a mate on the system used for delegation of aways. He's high up the list but doesn't get the likes of Bournemouth (700 away tickets). Another mate does because he's in the top tier list.

I was pleased to see Rob Halls post (@138). I know he would definitely have been at The Emirates on Saturday, but I read his last paragraph with particular interest.

I know there are lots of corporate "freebies" circulating for most matches. I also know many fall into what I would describe as undeserving hands.

What has completely shocked me is that, in this day and age, Premier League footballers are still given complimentary tickets. I mean, What The Fuck? Don't they earn enough? Half of them are no more than hired hands who probably don't personally know any of their own supporters.

Maybe somebody who has been around as long as me should have known. Maybe I have been asleep at the wheel, but I am shocked and frankly disgusted.

There were about 3,000 fans in that section, most of them young men. That's an awful lot of testosterone packed into such a confined space. So, to be honest, I was going to skate over this thread because I was hardly surprised there was a little bit of fisties.

I'm far more angry that somebody at the club thinks it's okay to give multi-millionaires comps while they are turning away diehard fans.

I know you are trying to give Barry the benefit of the doubt, Si, but I can't. Nor will I forgive the club for allowing this disgusting practice to continue.

I love my footy, but I'm sick to death of this twat league and the murky goings on we read about every day. The day I turn my back on it for good just got an awful lot closer.