EVERTON have been handed a HUGE £300,000 FA fine for the pitch invasion in last season’s 3-2 win over Crystal Palace.
Fans raced onto the field at Goodison Park after the victory guaranteed their safety in the Premier League.
However, one pitch invader got into an angry altercation with Palace manager Patrick Vieira.
The former Arsenal superstar was walking across Everton’s pitch when he was confronted by a goading home supporter.
And he ended up knocking the fan to the ground.
As a result of the pitch invasion, the Toffees were fined a whopping £300,000 by the FA, something that doesn’t surprise Vieira.
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He said on whether he was surprised by the fine: “No, not surprised at all.
“This is something quite delicate and you need to analyse it properly and try to come to the best decision.
“If they believe the final sanction is the best way, I think it’s something we all have to accept.
“It’s not something, at Everton especially, we’ve seen really often.
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“So the FA have made it clear this is something unacceptable and they get their punishment.
“Now it’s about moving on and they’ll manage this situation in a better way next time.”
An official statement from the FA read: “Everton FC has been fined £300,000 for two breaches of FA Rule E20 that occurred during the 84th minute of its Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace FC on Thursday 19 May 2022 and following the final whistle.
“Everton FC admitted failing to ensure that its spectators – and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers – conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using threatening and violent behaviour whilst encroaching onto the pitch area.
“An independent Regulatory Commission subsequently imposed these sanctions, which remain subject to appeal, and the written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.”
A number of Prem clubs have received fines north of £300,000.
Chelsea and Tottenham were the recipients of a mammoth fines following a feisty 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge during the 2015-16 campaign.
Both clubs admitted three counts of failing to control their players, with the Blues hit with a £375,000 fine and the Spurs order to pay £225,000.
Serious off-pitch offences saw the likes of QPR, Manchester City and West Ham cough up millions, from breaches in Financial Fair Play rules and Uefa regulations to dodgy transfers.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
