Everton confirm a fan has been arrested after bottles thrown struck Aston Villa players Matty Cash and Lucas Digne - 7M sport

Everton confirm a fan has been arrested after bottles thrown struck Aston Villa players Matty Cash and Lucas Digne



Posted Sunday, January 23, 2022 by Thesun.co.uk

EVERTON have confirmed a supporter has been arrested after Aston Villa's Matty Cash and Lucas Digne were hit by a bottle thrown from the stands.

The duo were celebrating after Digne - who left the Toffees a fortnight ago for Villa - supplied the assist as Emi Buendia headed home a corner from Digne to win the game.

Everton confirm a fan has been arrested after bottles thrown struck Aston Villa players Matty Cash and Lucas Digne
Matty Cash and Lucas Digne were both struck by objects thrown by Everton fans at Goodison

Several plastic bottles were hurled onto the pitch as the visiting stars congratulated each other in disgusting scenes.

But while the majority missed, Polish international Cash and the French full-back were both struck and instantly went down to the turf.

After the game, Cash described the incident to BT Sport, saying: “Crazy, it hit me straight in the head, it's not nice but three points, we'll take that.”

Police and stewards stormed into the Bullens Road stand as the missiles - including a lighter, bottles and a BAGUETTE - were thrown at Villa's celebrating stars.

One fan was arrested and the incidents will be investigated by police and the FA.

Toffees caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson condemned the shocking scenes, saying: “They shouldn't be doing that.”

Everton also issued a strong statement which read: “Police have arrested a supporter for throwing a missile on to the pitch. Everton security staff and Merseyside Police identified the supporter using CCTV footage.

“Several objects were thrown following Villa's goal at the end of the first half, with one missile appearing to strike two players.

“Investigations in conjunction with the police are ongoing and the club will issue bans to any fans identified throwing objects.”

“Several objects were thrown towards the pitch following Aston Villa's goal at the end of the first half, with one missile appearing to strike two opposition players.

“Investigations in conjunction with the police are ongoing, and the Club will issue bans to any fans identified throwing objects.”

Chief constable Mark Roberts, head of the UK's Football Policing Unit, admitted fan disorder is “getting worse,” with arrests at games across the top five English leagues at their highest levels in years.

There were 800 football-related arrests in the first six months of the season, plus 750 reported incidents of disorder.

Everton face an FA fine over their fans' behaviour while Kenwright was the target as a light aircraft flew over the stadium before the game, trailing a banner with the message: “22 years of failure Bill, time to go.”

Protests after the game included a sign which read, “Sack the board” while another stated: “Kenwright and Co it's time to go.”

Toffees are just four points off the relegation zone and boos rang out at the end.

Majority owner Farhad Moshiri took over six years ago and is now looking for his seventh manager.

He has overseen losses of £269m since 2019. Prem financial rules allow £105m in any three-year period.



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