Everton fan appears to throw punch at Lyon player while holding child during fight

Everton could face potential Uefa disciplinary action after a scrap between Ronald Koeman’s side and the Lyon players in Thursday’s 2-1 Europa League defeat spilled into the Goodison Park stands, resulting in one man carrying a young child lashing out at the one of the French team’s players.

The ugly scenes were triggered by a rash challenge from Everton defender Ashley Williams, who barged into Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes as he jumped to claim a high ball.

The shoulder charge appeared to be an attempt by Williams to earn his side a corner given that Lopes was close to the byline, but it left Lopes flying through the air and hitting the advertising hoardings, before trigger a mass skirmish between both sets of players.

A number of them were pressed up against the hoardings, putting them in reach of the home fans, and television footage showed one man carrying a young child trying to reach the players while shouting aggressively towards them.

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The man then appeared to lash out at Lucas Tousart’s face, before retreating as the Lyon players reacted.

The melee even involved Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who ran from one end of the pitch to the other to get involved, but despite the unsavoury scenes only Williams and Lyon match-winner Bertrand Traore were shown yellow cards.

Everton could face further action though, while both teams could face a charge of failing to control their players, and Williams could also land himself in hot water for the initial challenge and the ensuing clash with former Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore.

However, Koeman refused to blame Williams for the scrap, and instead felt that his players had grown frustrated with referee Bas Nijhuis in what proved to be their third consecutive European match without a win.

“I think the irritation grows in the game for our players and in my opinion that was the problem by the referee,” Koeman argued.

“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.”