Livermore clashes with fan over ‘comment about death of his infant son’
WEST Bromwich Albion midfielder Jake Livermore moved to confront a West Ham fan who allegedly made a comment about the death of his baby son during Tuesday night’s Premier League match at the London Stadium.
The supporter is understood to have shouted to Livermore, and the Hammers are investigating whether the abuse directed was about the player’s baby, who died in 2014.
England international Livermore, who was substituted just after the hour, had to be escorted down the tunnel following the incident, which was not clearly picked up on CCTV footage.
West Ham acted quickly to eject the fan, who was spoken to by stadium staff, and are working with West Brom and the player himself to determine exactly what happened.
The Football Association has also requested observations from all parties
West Brom issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon, offering the “total support of everyone at the club” to Livermore.
The statement read: “Following his substitution in the second half, Jake was subjected to general abuse from home supporters which he shrugged off. However, he acknowledges he moved to confront one spectator who chose to make a comment about the death of his infant son.
“The club would like to think that all right-minded football supporters could understand this reaction which did not result in any physical exchanges before Jake was led away to our dressing room.
“Jake is an outstanding young individual who has the total support of everyone at the club and he has made it clear he considers this statement to be an end to an unhappy incident.” Once the investigations are concluded, West Ham intend to take quick action regarding the individual concerned, with a stadium ban being considered.
West Brom’s statement added thanks to their hosts for the way the matter was handled within the ground at the time and the Baggies said they were “more than happy to leave any further action they deem appropriate in their hands”.
West Brom have responded to the FA’s request for observations, but said they would not be making any further comment.
Baggies boss Alan Pardew said after his team’s 2-1 defeat that he had seen Livermore among supporters in the crowd, an incident which only could have happened if his player had been “provoked severely”.
Livermore joined West Brom from Hull on a four-and-a-half-year deal in January 2017 in a reported £10million move.
The former Tottenham midfielder tested positive for cocaine after . Hull’s Premier League win over Crystal Palace in April 2015 and played three further matches before being banned by the FA.
Livermore, though, subsequently escaped a further suspension after the FA ruled the death of his newborn son during May 2014 was an overwhelming mitigating factor.
The midfielder was, however, ordered to undertake a course of rehabilitation and education, and was also the subject of target testing for a period of 12 months.