Advertisement
Trouble flared late Wednesday when around 50 Lille supporters charged into a group of Everton fans AP/Press Association Images
Violence

Everton fans caught up in trouble ahead of Europa League game with Lille

As many as 5,500 Evertonians are in the Northern French city for tonight’s game

TWO EVERTON SUPPORTERS have been hospitalised with minor facial injuries ahead of their sides’ Europa League game in Lille this evening as visiting fans have clashed with French police.

A group of travelling fans were the victims of an unprovoked attack on Wednesday evening in the city’s main square and it’s being reported further trouble arose this morning as police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.

Trouble erupted as a group of 50 Lille supporters ambushed a local bar in which the visiting fans were spending the evening in the Northern French city.

Everton have sold out their allocation of tickets for the Group H game and it’s estimated the travelling contingent will be the club’s biggest since their appearance in the 1985 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final in Rotterdam.

The club released a statement regarding Wednesday’s incident but then later urged fans to avoid the main square after further disorder arose on the morning of the match. Police wearing riot gear were involved as the 5,500 Everton fans convened near the city’s Grand Palace.

Eyewitnesses, including journalists in the city for the match, claimed there was a “friendly atmosphere”. The Everton supporters’ website GrandOldTeam.com insisted the police’s actions were completely unprovoked.

“Blues, try an avoid the baiting. Don’t rise or react to it. Let the story be them being out of order. Don’t give them justification,” read a tweet from their account.

Roberto Martinez’s side have four points from their opening two games ahead of their double-header against the Ligue 1 side. Both Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy have been included in the Everton squad for the game at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy having missed Ireland’s recent Euro 2016 Qualifiers through injury.

Darron Gibson and Aiden McGeady have also travelled and are expected to play some part with Steven Naismith and Leon Osman left at home as Martinez looks to manage their workload.

Luis Suarez readies himself for El Clasico and a date with destiny

‘At least Robbie Keane tried’ – Ex-Liverpool stars blast Balotelli

Your Voice
Readers Comments
13
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.