Former Blue Patrick Vieira, coach of Crystal Palace, put to the ground Thursday, May 19 with a broom an Everton supporter who had taken him to task after the invasion of the field which followed the victory of the Liverpool team, ensuring it stays in the Premier League.
Several videos circulating on social media show the former glory of the France team heading off the field in chaos, amidst Claret and Blue supporters celebrating their team’s 3-2 victory, despite having lost 2 -0 at the break.
Taken to task by a young man in shorts and a hoodie, Vieira ends up turning around and kicking him with a brush, which sends him to the ground, before being jostled by a few other fans, then accompanied to the exit. ground. Vieira later declined to comment on the incident.
Patrick Vieira has been filmed in an altercation with an Everton fan on the pitch at Goodison Park during tonight’s pitch invasion. pic.twitter.com/MOliWvsSHJ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 19, 2022
According to the Press Association agency, the English football federation (FA) will study the incident, the images of which take a large place at the top of tabloid sites. Frank Lampard, the Everton coach, himself supported Vieira, saying “to feel sorry for Patrick” and describing a “not easy” situation.
“If it’s done the right way, I’m ok with the fans staying on the pitch and enjoying it,” the ex-Chelsea midfielder said. According to Lampard, “as long as everyone is doing well and we don’t see scenes like the other night, let them have their moment.” “It’s the very essence of football,” he added.
The Sun for his part lamented “awful scenes”, dissecting the incident thanks to the images filmed by the telephone of the supporter struck by Vieira: we hear the young man insulting the coach before giving him the finger of honor.
Returning, beyond the case of Patrick Vieira, to the incidents that occurred after several other matches, the DailyMail denounced “a new shameful evening for football”. On Skycommentator Dion Dublin also defended Vieira: “You can’t jostle the coaches, the players, touch the players and yell at them”.
“We have to stop letting fans enter the field, it’s too dangerous,” said the former England international. After this defeat, Crystal Palace is 13th in the Premier League. Everton, thanks to their victory, moved up to 16th with 39 points, ensuring they remain in the Premier League next season.
No complaint
In a press release, the Merseyside police (north-west of England) indicated that they had not received any “formal complaint” but “are investigating an altercation which took place on the ground at Goodison Park after the Everton-Crystal match. Palace Thursday”.
“We are working with Everton FC to collate all available CCTV footage and we are talking to witnesses,” she added.