Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira was goaded by an Everton fan and responded with a kick after the Toffees’ Premier League survival celebrations got out of hand
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Everton fans celebrate Premier League survival
Shameful footage has laid bare the scale of abuse an Everton fan aimed at Patrick Vieira which prompted the Crystal Palace manager to lash out after Thursday night’s Premier League fixture.
Toffees fans invaded the Goodison Park pitch after their side produced a remarkable comeback to recover from two goals down and win 3-2. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the man to guarantee the hosts’ spot in the top flight next season, scoring the decisive goal after Michael Keane and Richarlison brought them level in the second half following strikes from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew.
However, as was the case during the Championship play-off semi-final between Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United on Tuesday, some supporters failed to behave with the slightest bit of respect as celebrations spilled over onto the pitch.
A clip on Sky Sports showed Vieira was involved in an altercation with a fan which resulted in him attempting to kick his antagoniser. While many sympathised with the Frenchman as he was quite clearly goaded in the build-up, the full extent of the disgraceful abuse he suffered has come to light in fresh footage shared on Twitter.
The clip is filmed from the Everton fan’s perspective, showing him going up to Vieira to put his phone in the manager’s face and shout: “Suck on that, you muppet. Get in.” The fan then cheers loudly before holding up his middle finger to the Palace boss, adding “F*** off.”
The next 10 seconds are impossible to make out as the camera shakes wildly and cries of “f*** off” can be heard. Vieira was asked about the incident in his post-match press conference and said: “I do not having anything to say about that.”
Does more need to be done to prevent pitch invasions turning violent? Have your say in the comments!
Image:
Twitter/makgwyatt)
Image:
Twitter/makgwyatt)
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Meanwhile, Everton manager Frank Lampard was quizzed about fans invading the pitch after the match and defended their right to do so “as long as they behave”. He said: “It was [the] pure elation of fans who have come on the pitch after avoiding relegation. If it is done in the right way, let them stay on the pitch, let them have their moment. As long as they behave, no problem.”
Lampard also insisted he would have helped Vieira escape the fray, adding: “I feel for Patrick. I didn’t get him at the end. I would have said: ‘Come in with us,’ although he might not have wanted that. Of course, he ran 80 yards across the pitch and it’s not easy.”
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