Latest: UEFA charges Everton after fracas that led club to ban fan

Latest: Everton have banned the fan who appeared to try to strike Lyon's Anthony Lopes while holding a child, with UEFA also charging the club for the crowd trouble during last night's Europa League tie.

Latest: UEFA charges Everton after fracas that led club to ban fan

Update 1.30pm: Everton have banned the fan who appeared to try to strike Lyon's Anthony Lopes while holding a child, with UEFA also charging the club for the crowd trouble during last night's Europa League tie.

The second-half melee sparked by Ashley Williams at Goodison Park, which is being investigated by Merseyside Police too, saw a supporter in the Howard Kendall Gwladys Street End push OL goalkeeper Lopes in the head before hitting out at him again.

UEFA's charge against Everton will be handled by its control, ethics and disciplinary body on November 16 and there could further punishment from the governing body still to come.

There remains a possibility that captain-for-the-night Williams might be sanctioned for his role in a brawl he instigated by barging into Lopes.

Any charge would depend on what is included in referee Bas Nijhuis' report of the contest, with the Dutch official only booking the Welshman at the time.

Earlier: The Everton fan who appeared to try and strike Lyon's Anthony Lopes while holding a child has been banned from attending future games, the club have announced.

Merseyside Police are also investigating the crowd trouble that marred yesterday's Europa League tie at Goodison Park when Ashley Williams' barge on Lopes sparked a second-half melee.

That skirmish moved to the advertising hoardings at the Howard Kendall Gwladys Street End, at which point a man carrying a child pushed Lopes in the head before hitting out at him again.

In a statement issued on Friday, Everton said: "Club officials have reviewed the footage of an incident that occurred in the 64th minute of the game against Olympique Lyonnais where supporters towards the front of the lower Gwladys Street End became involved in a confrontation between players.

"We have identified one individual whom action will now be taken against. This will include a ban from attending future Everton fixtures and the club registering a formal complaint with Merseyside Police."

The force issued their own statement which confirmed they were also looking into the matter.

It read: "Merseyside Police can confirm officers are investigating following a disturbance on the pitch during a football match between Everton and Lyon at Goodison Park last night, Thursday 19th October.

"Detectives will be reviewing footage and speaking to witnesses to establish what, if any, offences have been committed."

They added anyone with information "which could assist the investigation" should contact them on 0151 777 4065 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

European governing body UEFA is likely to take a dim view of the skirmish and both Everton and their defender Williams could face sanctions.

Williams, who was captain for the night, instigated the ugly scenes when he shoved Lopes off the pitch as the goalkeeper went up to make a catch on the byline.

Numerous Lyon players took umbrage with that and a fracas broke out involving men from either side, with the trouble even spilling into the crowd as the huddle reached the advertising hoardings.

Williams was booked for his role and appeared fortunate to escape with just a caution as replays showed he raised his hands to Lucas Tousart's face.Speaking to BT Sport 2 after Everton's 2-1 loss, Williams said: "'It's what happens, it's football. It is what it is.

''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.''

Under-fire Toffees manager Ronald Koeman had accused Dutch referee Bas Nijhuis of irking his players with his handling of the game before the incident.

"I think the irritation grows in the game for our players and in my opinion that was the problem by the referee,'' Koeman said.

''The referee was Dutch but he didn't do anything against the theatre of some of the Lyon players. (Nabil) Fekir in the first half dived 10 times. I understand with my players, that comes out of frustration."

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