Everton fan in club ban
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 Thursday’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.
Everton have announced that supporter will be banned from their future games and UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Toffees.
In a statement issued yesterday, Everton said: “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.” KYEL Reid wishes he could play against his parent club Coventry City when he returns to the Ricoh Arena for the first time today.
The 29-year-old will travel with the Colchester United squad but watch the game from the stands due to being ineligible to play against the Sky Blues as part of his loan agreement.
Reid angered City fans in the summer after manager Mark Robins revealed he was ‘looking for an escape route’ out of the club just 12 months into his two year contract.
The former Bradford City star claimed he has a ‘get out’ agreement to leave the club following the Sky Blues’ relegation, similar to the one written into fellow contract rebel Jordan Turnbull’s deal.
But Robins insisted there was nothing in ‘black and white’ and that any agreement was verbal with a previous boss.
“He’s under contract so there’s nothing he can do,” insisted Robins, of the player who was farmed out on loan in August.
Reid has proved to be a big hit with U’s fans after scoring three goals in nine games, having managed just two in 37 for the Sky Blues last season when he had a largely disappointing campaign aside from the odd performance including, of course, the Checkatrade Trophy Final at Wembley.
Speaking ahead of his return, Reid admits he’s disappointed not to be able to play against his parent club.
“I’d like to play to be honest!” he said.
“It’ll be a case of mixed emotions on Saturday I think – I think a draw will be good for me!
“It’ll be a good game to watch, as both teams are footballing sides and hopefully the team can do well.”
He added: “Things are going well – we’re starting to gel as a team and we’re putting the pieces together.
“We’re just taking each game as it comes and keep building and building, working on the team shape and getting the job done.
“I knew that the team had potential and it was always only a matter of time before we started gelling together.
“It’s always takes time for a team to gel and there’s quite a few loan players but now we’re starting to find our way and the penny has dropped for us.”
As for Reid’s future beyond December when his loan at the Weston Homes Community Stadium runs out, he said: “I don’t know whether I’ll be going back to Coventry after Christmas.
“I haven’t really spoken to the club – I’m just concentrating on helping Colchester right now and then cross that bridge when it comes to January and see what happens.
“Coventry are my parent club – the season we had there last year wasn’t the best in the league but we obviously had a good cup run and it was a great feeling to be at Wembley.
“I had a pre-season but I didn’t play any games – that was just how things worked out at Coventry.
“I’m here now and I’m happy to be playing. I’m feeling sharp and feeling fit and I just want to help the team.
“The gaffer has given me a chance – I met him a few times before I came in on loan because I wasn’t really sure about what I was doing at Coventry and whether they would give me the nod to go out on loan but I’m pleased that things are working out.
“The gaffer probably looks at me as one of the most experienced players in the team.
“Everyone knows the roles in the squad and it’s about them taking their chance when it comes along and grabbing the opportunity and doing their best for the team.
“We all want to play and there’s a lot of good quality players here, so it’s tough for the gaffer to pick the team and who is on the bench.
“The last few weeks, we’ve started gelling as a team and getting that consistency.”