Keith Hackett: Richarlison could be set for three-match ban after flare incident in Everton win v Chelsea
We’re delighted to welcome former Premier League referee Keith Hackett as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Everton...
Keith Hackett has insisted that Richarlison is set for a ban after throwing a flare back into the crowd as Everton beat Chelsea on Sunday.
The ex-FIFA official admitted it would be at minimum for one match, but it could be as long as three games.
The FA are currently investigating the incident which could leave the Toffees without Richarlison for games against Leicester, Watford and Brentford.
“As soon as he picked it up, I’ve gone wow,” he exclusively told Goodison News. “He’s in trouble here, and I expected when you look at it, the referee should have taken action and he didn’t, why?
“Because there was player celebrating a goal, he wasn’t off the pitch so that was ok, but he picks up a smoke bomb, we don’t know the contents of how dangerous that is, it’s an object.
“Therefore, throwing it back towards the fans, I’ve heard the excuse from Everton. So, for me, it might seem harsh, but in reality, throwing an object towards a spectator, if a player throws a ball at an opponent with some force, then that is a dismissal offence under violent conduct, so this comes under that banner.
“It will be interesting to see how the FA deal with it – effectively it should be a three-match ban. If there are any circumstances where they could downgrade it to a one-match ban.
“Minimum, it’s a one-match ban but it could be three.”
Shocker.
It is hard to see past Richarlison being banned for this.
Of course, we love the passion, but there was no need for him to pick up the flare and it should have been left to the stewards to deal with.
The FA won’t take into account the moment or how much it means, but instead if it could have caused danger, which it certainly could have.
This would be a huge blow, but hopefully having Dominic Calvert-Lewin back soon could paper over the cracks for however long.
Now it’s a nervous wait to find out his punishment.
In other Everton news, Simon Jordan has shared a potential catastrophe waiting to happen at Goodison Park this season
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