Everton’s Ashley Williams celebrates after scoring during a Group E Europa League soccer match between Everton F.C. and Olympique Lyon at Goodison Park Stadium, Liverpool, England, Thursday Oct. 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
LIVERPOOL, England — Everton could face punishment from European soccer’s governing body after a fan holding a child appeared to aim a punch at a Lyon player during a second-half melee at a Europa League game at Goodison Park.
Everton captain Ashley Williams’ push on goalkeeper Anthony Lopes ignited a heated confrontation between several Everton and Lyon players which continued off the pitch and in front of the Howard Kendall Gwladys Street End.
While players continued to jostle in front of the fans, one Everton supporter, who was holding a child, appeared to push Lopes’ head and seemed to aim a punch in the direction of the goalkeeper and defender Mouctar Diakhaby. The Lyon players noticed that and shouted in his direction before the situation cooled down.
Referee Rob van de Ven produced a yellow card for Williams and Lyon striker Bertrand Traore, with the former fortunate to perhaps escape further punishment having raised his hand in Lucas Tousart’s face.
“It’s what happens. It’s football,” Williams told BT Sport television. “It’s high emotions. We want to win the game, they want to win the game and stuff happens. That was just one of those times.”
Williams went on to head in an equalizer for Everton soon after but Traore gave Lyon a 2-1 win.