Pitch Invasions

It's amazing what the cameras pick up on – I've just seen on the news, Patrick Viera kicked out at an Everton fan celebrating on the pitch... incredible! Yet he has not given an apology of any sort. Will he get any repercussions? I doubt it!

Coming back from the game, Colin Murray on 5Live had already started with the contrived indignation at the pitch invasion, how the white line is no longer “sacred” and linking it to more recent assaults on players. He was like an amateur Alan Partridge arguing with a farmer.

The fan was right in Viera's face, calling him a bald knobhead. Got what he deserved.

Anyway… fuck 'em.

The RS / media seem to overlook their own issues.
It’s always good to keep them in mind. They include:-

Stoning the Man City team coach; Liver Buildings fire; pushing people into a fountain in Barcelona; rushing passport control at Liverpool Airport returning from Athens.

Even the club revealed itself for the dollar whore it is by furloughing their own staff during Covid despite being one of the wealthiest clubs in the world. Nor to mention the breakaway European Super League.

That’s off the top of my head.

I won’t mention Heysel.

They call us bitter to which I reply that, unlike them, we’re not bitter and twisted.

The boot is on the other foot this weekend.
We can relax and enjoy and cheer on the Blues.

What a relief that we have survived. I feared the worst when Gomes started.
Hopefully Frank has seen the light.

Onwards and upwards.

Indeed there is much outrage at the scenes at Goodison last night, none moreso than this Newcastle supporting author… what is it about the Barcodes that they seem to think they are bigger and better than all but our neighbours? Trophyless kopites is what they are turning into.

As for the media decrying the 'celebrations' by Evertonians, I'd rather see last night's scenes because the club had avoided relegation than have to suffer one or more seasons of trying to gain promotion, with no guarantee that it would happen.

If any Blue wasn't aware that the media can spin anything to suit their own narrow narrative, this season has been an object lesson in how they do it and how it affects everybody from fans to officials. I hope that Everton FC are hardly mentioned in the national press during the summer, which wouldn't have been the case had we fallen through the trap-door.

Points deduction

I might add that the idiot who decided to abuse Vierra has no place inside Goodison Park and should be banned for life, we don't need that type of fan at Goodison and he has given the media the opportunity to put the boot into our club and the rest of us mostly good-natured and well-behaved fans.

One idiot fan behaved as captured on video and his behaviour is totally unacceptable and the club should act quickly to help control the narrative. You can not in any circumstances condone his actions, but perhaps you can understand them (unless he was fuelled on something).

However, the biased and vindictive national media, in the main, are seeking to somehow excuse Viera's actions. We know what was said to him. It can not and does not justify the assault he launched upon the fan. Given his position of authority and his wider responsibility, he must be the subject of proper Police scrutiny, regardless of a formal complaint or not (as is happening).

He is guilty of common assault – S4 Public Order Act offences and should be sanctioned accordingly, by the Police, by the FA and by his club. I haven't yet read that he is offering any apology for his actions.
Fair commentary and true balance is required. Perhaps we should ask Carragher for his views… provided he washes his mouth out with soap first!!

In my bizarre twist of fate last night, I sat amongst the Palace fans. They were great, but I told a couple of lads to try spend more time watching the football rather than goading the Everton fans in the Park End. Those around me laughed and patted me on the back. The steward wagged his finger but winked at me. Fair credit, the same lads came over to me at full time for a hand shake.

There will always be an idiot but the individual should be punished, not the vast majority who were simply celebrating.

It's like punishing all English clubs for the actions of one club.

I have no problems with what Viera did but given todays histrionics and offence taking I’m sure it will be a media story and he will probably receive some punishment.

Try going into any pub in Liverpool and finding a 6ft-3in feller and call him a bald knobhead in his face and see what reaction you get.

Sorry, but whilst you can understand his reaction, and possibly even sympathise with him, you can not excuse nor condone his actions (nor the actions of the 6ft-3in knobhead in the pub).

Our fans have been different class recently - something of a throwback at times to the days before half and half scarfs and travelling to the city centre wearing replica kits to sit in pubs watching the match, but we have never been and never will be favoured by the media. Whenever there is a feature on the history of the league/FA cup/Great goal scorers/European success etc etc, we never get a mention. Klopp poking his teeth in today has topped it off given their behaviour over the years

I can condone what he did. He was surrounded by opposition fans acting with hostility. But apparently we can condone fans being on the pitch.

Some perspective required. Some idiot got the reaction he didn't expect but deserved. No one was hurt. Should be dealt with by the FA. Making it a police matter is a huge waste of time but sadly a sign of the times.

Thirty years ago Cloughie gave one his own fans a smack and the fan rocked up on the telly the following night apologising. Our idiot is probably at a solicitors today.

They showed the true 'Spirit of the Blues'.

It’s quite embarrassing seeing such wild celebrations after a dog awful season but understandable apart from the pitch invasion. I was happy and relieved and now there is every excuse for the FA or Premier League to throw the book at us. I wouldn’t bet against a bloody points deduction to be honest, just to rub our noses in it.

Viera did not over-react - it's not like he hit him with a baseball bat or anything. As others have said - kudos to the other fans who de-escalated the situation and hopefully proved to those watching that the idiot is in a minority (though in today's world, that appears to be an ever-increasing minority of morons).

Yes, the fans were idiots to charge onto the pitch after the 3rd goal. Just dumb. On the replay (actually, like 20 or so replays I watched over and over and over) you can hear the fans booing the pitch invaders.

But.

The post game whistle pitch invasion? For those of you who think that's poor form, my only response is in my best Joe Biden impersonation: C'mon man!

It was unbridled joy, relief, and celebration. It was completely peaceable. What in the holy heck is sport for, other than to witness great feats of human endeavor, and celebrate the special moments as only human beings can? It's why we watch and participate, for that moment we can all recognize how special some feats of humanity are - especially when we gather tribally in competition.

Just stop with all the nonsense of condemnation of swarming the pitch. It's really nonsense. The spontaneous burst of celebration of special moments should be celebrated, not condemned.

Your media over there is a freaking joke. Over here NBC was in awe of the Evertonians, the celebration, the community of fans lifting this shitty squad to safety. They rightly pointed out it's what sport and this game of soccer is all about.

While we're busy sanitizing so much about society, language, culture, etc., can we please leave sport out of it so we can come together and rejoice in the human spirit? Cry to the heavens with joy at the feats of what we consider "ours" and relish the skill, effort, determination, and will we witness?

God above, don't take that away from me.

I say well done to the post-game pitch invaders! You showed the world what being Blue means and the passion you hold for what is dear to you. Were I there, I'd have been right along side you, screaming and singing my lungs out. I hope you enjoyed your moment immensely, because those moments don't come around too often.

And to anyone on that Goodison field of green yesterday post-game, know you brought a massive amount of happiness to millions of Blues watching around the world. Well done!

No VPN needed here I believe to see the NBC take:
Link

I think there might be repercussions from the pitch invasions. It was clear after the Calvert-Lewin goal that another was coming on the final whistle. The poor stewards can't do anything about it but could the referee have managed it better? He could have given a free-kick, told the players time is up and let them stand near the tunnel.

I feared for the Palace players particularly, having to get to that corner. Incidentally, why are we still doing that in the post-Covid period? They could come out from the main tunnel separately if need be.

And I noticed that Mr Taylor was one of the first off the pitch, doing a Linford Christie as soon as he had blown.

Does anyone know of any sensible fan forums of other clubs?

What the fuckety-fuck?

Unfortunately, anti-scouse bigotry is something we suffer from! We are as much "Hated, wherever we may go" as we are "respected " for our fanatical support. But, we are the Goodison Gang. Altogether Now!

I know many were just young boys but I think with Billy Sharp being headbutted in the pitch invasion involving Sheff Utd and trouble at the Port Vale with yet another pitch invasion, and Viera being goaded by an idiot could see the FA jump all over Everton. I just hope they don't consider a points deduction which they are allowed to do, and just order a massive fine.

As many showed you can celebrate without running on to the pitch, and it denied the chance for the players and manager to come back out to thank the supporters.

Maybe Everton need to adopt what cricket did for anybody entering the pitch and issue a £20,000 fine.

Makes you realise we aren't really well wished by the footballing powers. I am reminded of that line in War of the Worlds read out by Morgan Freeman when the aliens (Kopite pundit equivalent) 'regarded this earth with envious eyes, and slowly and surely drew their plans against us.'

I'm not familiar with punishments regarding pitch invasions, but I think that a points deduction would have caught my attention.

If indeed it was applied to Everton, I would suspect, like many others on this site, that The Premier League and the Football Association, for whatever reason, have an unhealthy attitude to Everton FC, and I also think that this decision could and should be challenged.

To repeat myself, at the end, you can give the fans that. The police and stewards did well to allow but control it. For someone who grew up in the 80s, there was no Millwall like malicious intent like seen at Luton. Just sheer outpouring of joy.

Be interesting to see if his own fans keep off the pitch if they win one of their next two games.

Admittedly, the first pitch invasion was stupid and could have cost us, but the one on full time, I remember seeing the stewards getting into position and thinking, "You've no chance in hell on the final whistle!" They got swallowed up big time.

I'm finding the media driven agenda on this pretty exaggerated. What's new? It started straight after the game with the ridiculous Colin Murray on the BBC. It's now continued with pitch invader Klopp getting involved and now Eddie Howe.

Apparently it doesn't sit right with Eddie but he's no qualms about working for a murderer. Spare me their moralising.

As far as I know, the ONLY injury was to the pride of the knobhead getting in Viera’s face and getting his arse kicked. Identity him and give him a 12-18 month ban. Same with anyone else who crossed the line. The head butter in Lower leagues already in nick, and that’s right thing to do…..punish the offender.

Can’t punish people for being ‘scary’ or for ‘what might have happened’ because that’s a law that knows nothing about liberty. “Some big animated fella was raving to me about the result….I felt threatened. Lock him up!!”. WTF.

Hope there’s another load of invasions this weekend….as long as no one hurt, it’ll shut them up about us.

Good luck with that boys... yawn.

The throwing of objects or entering onto the playing field during the course of a game has just got to stop.

I have a little more sympathy for those who entered the playing field after the final whistle but only a little. There have been a number of incidents recently as a result of after match incursions up and down the country and it has got to stop. It's only a matter of time before someone gets badly hurt.

Alan Brasil calling for retribution for his pal Patrick Vierra.

Stop listening to this ranting fool.

It's enough to give you a siege mentality.

Media have always loved raining on our parade.

Going back many years ago, at the end of our second leg of the Milk Cup semi-final at Villa Park, which put us into the final, loads of Evertonians climbed over the fence to jump on the pitch.

My mate jump off the fence and literally flattened a copper and immediately jumped back over the fence into the crowd realizing what he'd done. Looking back, it was funny but, if that happened today, he'd be eating porridge for a while, I reckon.

I don't want barriers up to stop this but we need to get the message across that it's a no-go.

It's just a shame that he wandered past such a complete dickhead!

No big deal.

That apart, it's an offence for supporters to go on the pitch, end of. Was last night's invasion to be expected under the circumstances? Of course.

Does that make it right and okay? Afraid not.

Do the actions of a few knobheads who can't just celebrate but have to goad and harrass the opposition complicate things? It does, and leaves us open to punishment and scrutiny.

However, UTFT!

Whilst the fan who goaded Vieira was bang out of order, the response from Vieira was disproportionate and is potentially assault. Provocation is not a legal defence to assault and Vieria's actions could have made the situation a lot worse. He will be lucky to escape a charge (legal and FA) for what he did. Mind you, if that was Klopp, it would have been a penalty to Liverpool.

However, from the safety of your designated seat, you can pretty much call any player anything you want, except if it's racist. Note racism doesn't extend to “You Scouse Bastard”.

All relatively unsuccessful teams’ fans think they’re discriminated against.

It’s truly perplexing to me that that isn’t obvious to others.

So when an overexcited Everton fan makes a couple of gestures at the Palace manager (who'd just seen his team lose a remarkable match in which Palace had no interest apart from playing) it would seem that physical violence is to be expected.

It turns out that Viera, in 307 matches managed the same number of red cards (8) as our beloved but somewhat physical Duncan Ferguson in a similar number of matches (307 to 269), and almost twice as many yellows, and managed 6 more yellows than the known thug Carragher despite playing just under 200 fewer games.

This man is a disgusting violent thug who deserves the full weight of the law thrown at him. Someone making a gesture at you is not grounds for flat out assault.

I think I have seen 3 this week…

Suppose they would have liked 30-odd thousand to sit in their seats politely clapping and saying "Well done, chaps."

No malice whatsoever, considering most of us have lost sleep and hair this season as well as a significant number of PTSD cases, a pitch invasion is negligible.

As with VAR they're trying to make footy as sterile as they can.

Jamie @12 – good post.

Everything just has to be an exaggerated, engineered drama with the same old kit of memes today, makes me sick.

Our fans also protected and cajoled him safely to where he wanted to be.

Like Fank said, nothing wrong with pitch invasions if the fans behave. We did!

Now I never want an easy game, but I lost all respect for the man last night. I believe he set up and motivated the team to play recklessly and without concern for players' welfare. Given the absolute nothing that was riding on the game for them, and after losing 3 goals in the second half that was very much bossed by us, he was aggro to the end.

Sorry for the french, but fuck him.

I don't condone it and fans frustrate me, but when you are in a senior professional position, you conduct yourself in a certain way and exercise constraint. It goes with the territory.

But I'll reiterate, stop this Park End thing. Get both teams coming out and going back into the Main Stand.

And then the FA is investigating the incident, reviewing the rules re pitch invasion, and possible penalties to the clubs involved.

Why is it always our club they pick on? Are we hated that much by the FA - the Premier League, and other clubs?

My joyfulness of yesterday has now turned into despair. Why has my celebrating been ruined?

If the Everton fan was a "mindless moron"... how would you describe the thug masquerading as a football manager who resorted to violence?

I sincerely hope he spends next year in the stands.

If this was Lampard or even any Everton player, you would be going off your fucking head defending him or would you?

From what I have seen, the guy went out of his way to provoke Viera – why?

Fair play to Viera for having the balls to stand up to him – he was on his Jack Jones on a pitch with 100's of fans all around him.

Is Duncan Ferguson a thug?

The Everton fan was certainly out of order but it doesn't excuse Viera resorting to violence when there was no direct physical threat to him. Viera was walking off the pitch surrounded by Everton fans but not as far as we can see threatened with physical attack...it was he who opted to resort to violence.

Not sure why you reference Lampard or Duncan... Eric Cantona is surely the most relevant example and he was found to be in the wrong.

The idiot got less than he deserved which was a good right hander. Of course the FA will reprimand him... but the police? World's going fucking mad!

Vierra is an idiot for responding in the way he did. His response was inappropriate and probably assault. Utterly unnecessary, especially from a supposed professional. If every player and manager responded like that to verbal crap thrown at them, the game would be in chaos. He clearly should be sanctioned for his action.

Of course action will prevail by the authorities in some form as long as the same punishment is administered to the top clubs when their fans do the same.

Although I get all the euphoria of us staying up and fans going on to the pitch, bottom line is they shouldn't have, just like when we took the lead and the ref added 7 fucking minutes - just silly.

The fan went out of his way to provoke, and got it back - as I said fair play to Vierra for having the balls to stand up to him.

Long term it's not a good idea to go on the pitch.

If your world allows someone to physically attack an exuberant supporter going to the extreme but still remaining within the realms of only verbal attack... I'm relieved I live in a world that's "going fucking mad"!

Christine – you must have seen the same stuff – what are your thoughts? Am I right to be so worried about the club being picked on?

The Everton fan should be banned for his idiotic behaviour of shouting at Vierra (telling him to fuck off etc). No excuse for it.

Both the fan and Vierra are idiots and should be made an example of. This kind of shit brings the game into disrepute, and unfortunately has given the rag media the opportunity to have another biased go at Everton.

Given that that didin't happen, I was surprised Vieira would walk unaccompanied (?) to the away team's exit. But he did.

The fans goading him were wrong to do so. If they can be identified, then a proportionate sanction from the club (and would the police count that as threateneing behaviour as well? so...).

Vieria's reaction was disproportionate, if understandable. Similarly, a proportionate sanction from the FA and the police?

RTFT or "Read the full thread"

There are a few posts on here which have dismissed the FFP claims as nonsense. As for the pitch invasion... a fine perhaps... it certainly won't mean a points deduction.

The Management selection process.
Offshore?
Agent Benitez
The FFP threat.
£1. 5 million on transfers
Medical Service sacking.
Strategic Planning and Review for the Birds.
The awful run over the Xmas.
Fans select the New Manager.
More injured players than fit players.
Home town decisions regarding recruitment.
Sanctions and Associates.
Beat by all lower table Cliubs
Relegation dog fight.
And now the above.

We all have lived in Nut Country this season, the sooner out of it the better. The only lucky thing that happen was that a Super yacht was not tied to Bramley Dock.

The Management selection process.
Offshore?
Agent Benitez
The FFP threat.
£1. 5 million on transfers
Medical Service sacking.
Strategic Planning and Review for the Birds.
The awful run over the Xmas.
Fans select the New Manager.
More injured players than fit players.
Home town decisions regarding recruitment.
Sanctions and Associates.
Beat by all lower table Cliubs
Relegation dog fight.
And now the above.

We all have lived in Nut Country this season, the sooner out of it the better. The only lucky thing that happen was that a Super yacht was not tied to Bramley Dock.

You cannot beat the Ref

'Goodisonenders '? more Les Miserables..

Hope you are enjoying Evertons Survival.

Professionals like Vierra have a DUTY (which is not negotiable) to act professionally, it’s as simple as that.

I think the fella with the kid on his shoulder, and then the man who put his arm around Vierra to guide him away, showed the true colours of most Bluenoses, whilst the ultra-competitive Vierra, was probably just being himself, after responding to something that was completely uncalled for.

Do we know if the fan said anything to Viera during the very obvious goading and provaction – most likely – which is probably why Viera has said nothing.

This could have turned very nasty if other supporters had got involved and, if it had, I know who I would hold responsible.

I hope this fan is found out and the club does the right thing and bans him, but I suspect this will not happen.

As I say, if this was Lampard who had been in Viera's position, all you accusing him of being unprofessional would no doubt change your opinion. Let's not pretend!

So, in normal life it is okay to hit someone because they say something you don’t like?

Some screwed up logic there. The fan shouldn’t be banned, but Viera should.

That is definitely an issue among some fans - I have heard and read comments like "is this really us?", "we are better than this", "we are turning into them'". By that, I assume we mean perennial losers?

The conflicted mentality was shown after the match with the angst about the pitch invasions - do me a favour. Football is emotion and the second and third goals were moments of unbridled ecstasy after months of pure stress and churning tension. Take that out of football and what is the point?

Get a grip, man! If Lampard had done what Viera had done, he'd get exactly the same criticism from me. Do not make assumptions about the reasoning of others!

Fans do have a duty, and should be banned if they don't behave in line with it. Managers have a duty, and should be sanctioned if they don't behave in line with it.

No wonder the game has become increasingly unattractive.

May I suggest a Friday night out in town where they could carry out a little experiment and do what the idiot did to Viera? Any takers? I'll gladly accompany you to record the experiment, oh and call the ambulance. 😉

Vierra is a high profile figure, on TV, what kind of example to youngsters is it? There’s a difference between giving someone a deserved smack in private, and giving them one in such high profile. What the hell happened to sensible restraint and acting like a responsible adult?

A top level football field is not the same environment as the centre of town on a Saturday night. There are other constraints to be applied, and need to be adhered to. And it’s not negotiable.

If several thousand people decide to encroach onto the pitch, how do you prevent that from happening? Does the club only allow fans to sit ten or twenty rows from the front of a stadium? What do you do about those who have already purchased their season tickets in the front rows? Do you identify each and every pitch invader and ban them from attending the stadium?

Any of the end of game pitch encroachers who broke the law, like the bloke who head-butted a player, should be dealt with by the law as he has been. The talking heads seem to have plenty to say, but offer little to provide a proper solution to the issue. Events like Thursday's only occur in certain types of matches at certain points in the season, therefore they can be predicted as high-risk, but preventing a mass pitch invasion isn't as simple as is made out, of course fans can regulate their own personal behaviour and that would possibly lead to fewer people taking part, but it won't completely prevent it from happening.

I personally think that the prat who goaded Viera, pushing his mobile into his face, should be banned for life – a complete moron.

How come we are the only club still having away teams use a different pitch entrance and exit to the home team? Obviously the ref knew what to expect after the mini invasion when Calvert-Lewin scored, he signalled to his linesman to get ready to run and he ran towards the tunnel while blowing his whistle.

A top level football field is not the same environment as the centre of town on a Saturday night.

Stan, that top level football pitch was a "worse" environment for Viera than the centre of town on a Saturday night in this instance, can you not see that? Watch the footage again.

He was surrounded by thousands of supporters of the opposition in a highly charged and potentially dangerous situation. Some of those supporters (one in particular, in this case), instead of celebrating, chose to aggressively abuse him. He was vulnerable and unprotected. Sensible restraint and acting like a responsible adult?

Jeez, Stan, you even start your post with ~"I'd probably give a gobshite like that a smack."

Real world mate, real world!

Now, that is unquestionably what he should have done. All he has done is give the idiot a bit of fame which he might love so he can brag to his mates that he got a ride out of Vierra, a high profile figure. Vierra isn’t a supporter, he’s not an ordinary bloke at the match, he’s a professional manager who should operate to standards.

That is the real world mate, it’s not an action film with Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington or Jason Statham.

In fairness to other fans, they intervened as well.

He got stick from Roy Keane in the tunnel. Didn't see him boot him up the arse. He also will get stick from the stands, so is he justified in wading in there like Cantona?

He could have simply just walked off the pitch and back to the dressing room.

We all know why fans are not penned in cages in this country any more - we risk that being brought back with any further encroachments.

Luckily, when he kicked out then stepped up square a couple of times, people backed away. Things being as they sometimes are, it could've turned to a situation of him down on the floor in a kicking circle - but it didn't.

This said, it's regretful that such a big deal is being made of it. No-one hurt, and just this one incident in all that emotional melee on the pitch. Not bad. The philosophical view though, has little standing now in Dramaville.

I never said what you said I said in your final sentence, where you said I said it, as would be apparent to you if you read what I actually said in the part relating to what you said I said that I actually didn't say.

Glad that's cleared up.

This must take pressure off our position as they are not going to take the Premier League title off them.

Now we have them jumping all over a pitch invasion.

One other thing that jumped out at me yesterday was the Iwobi handball, for the next three minutes the commentator kept saying, var are still reviewing this, until finally they thought it should be worth a look on the screen, suddenly the shirt sleeve rule goes right out of the window and the ref gives a penalty.

But for anyone still unsure of everything gone against us, how ironic is it, that not one single opposition player, has received either 2 yellow cards in one game, or a straight Red in the Premier league this season, when they have faced Everton, if I have missed a team being down to ten men against us, I apologise beforehand.

It would be like the US President granting a General Pardon, or amnesty to all complaints and offences on and off the field? It would be surely appreciated by all the clubs and help them prepare for the new season. Just a thought...

"On Monday, Merseyside police announced that Vieira would not be facing any criminal charges. They stated that neither the Frenchman or the supporter involved wished to make a formal complaint about the incident at Goodison Park, or wanted a prosecution to follow after they were spoken to by officers." – The Athletic.

Let's hope that draws a line under it. Although the FA investigation into pitch invasions continues...

This definitely helped make the incredible scenes that were witnessed before the Palace game so much more enjoyable for anyone who had a smoke-bomb, a flare, or was just setting fireworks off!

Hope eternal, all matters Everton.

She had been having an affair for 5 months. I did not have a bloody clue. She's gone to live with this twat!! And he's a Red!!!

An affair is one thing, but an affair with a Red... that borders on unforgivable. It's clear where your true love lies... L4.