LIVERPOOL, England – Amid a pitching invasion from Everton fans, Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira appeared to kick a supporter who appeared to goad him during a confrontation.
The field was flooded with Everton supporters after their side recovered from a 2-0 deficit at half-time to win 3-2 on Thursday and ensure Premier League survival ahead of Sunday’s finals.
As Vieira attempted to leave the field, a supporter could be seen seemingly holding up a phone and stretching his arms towards the Frenchman’s face. Vieira then turns and tries to grab the phone before kicking him with his right foot. The fan fell to the ground.
Video footage of the chaos then shows Vieira trying to walk away. Reporters in the post-match press conference were unaware of the incident when Vieira showed up, but Everton manager Frank Lampard later commented.
“I feel for Patrick,” Lampard said. “I didn’t understand him in the end. I would have said, ‘Come in’, although he might not have wanted that. Of course he ran 80 meters across the pitch and that’s not easy.”
On Tuesday, a Sheffield United player was attacked by a fan who had joined others to pour onto the field. He was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison on Thursday.
Lampard defended Everton fans who came onto the field.
“It was the pure joy of the fans who came onto the pitch after the relegation battle,” he said. “If done right, let them stay on the pitch, let them have their moment. As long as they behave, no problem.”
https://nypost.com/2022/05/19/patrick-vieira-appears-to-kick-fan-amid-everton-field-storming/ Patrick Vieira appears to kick the fan amid Everton’s field storm
