UEFA charges Everton after fans strike Lyon players
UEFA has charged Everton after a fan struck Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes in a flashpoint during their UEFA Europa League tie.
Everton is facing punishment from UEFA after being charged over an ugly brawl in its UEFA Europa League clash with Lyon, in which fans became involved in.
Ashley Williams was fortunate not to see red when he needlessly shoved Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes to the floor under a high ball in the 64th minute of the Toffees' 2-1 defeat, before squaring up to Bertrand Traore.
As the fracas spilled off the pitch towards the advertising hoardings, a man holding a child reached over and appeared to slap Lopes, while other fans were seen grabbing at the visiting players.
The individual who struck Lopes has been banned by Everton, which has also raised the issue with Merseyside Police.
But European football's governing body has taken a dim view, charging the Premier League club with "aggressions by supporters against players - Art. 16 (2) (H) of the Disciplinary Regulations".
A statement added: "This case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 16 November."
Everton was fined €10,000 ($15,000) in September after crowd trouble in its match with Hajduk Split.
Just three minutes after the fracas, Williams cancelled out Nabil Fekir's fifth-minute penalty with a thumping header, but Traore's flick won the points for Lyon and piled more pressure on Everton boss Ronald Koeman.