Police set to investigate Richarlison smoke bomb incident from Everton defeat of Chelsea
Merseyside police are set to open an investigation into the incident that saw Everton forward Richarlison throw a smoke bomb, The Times reports.
The Brazilian picked up the object from the Goodison Park pitch after scoring the only goal of the game in the defeat of Chelsea on Sunday (1 May), and appeared to throw it back into the crowd.
The FA subsequently confirmed they would investigate once they had received referee Kevin Friend’s match report, but that is now paused while the police conduct their own inquiries.
The Times report says: “Everton officials insisted that Richarlison, who has scored four goals in his past five Premier League matches, had hurled the canister through a gap in the stands, but the FA said they would look at the flashpoint and have contacted the player.
“However, that investigation has now been halted as Merseyside Police look into the matter.”
The win over the European Champions left the Toffees two points behind both Leeds and Burnley in the relegation battle, with a game in hand on both.
Fallout
Players have received bans for throwing items at opposing fans before, but Richarlison clearly wasn’t throwing the blue smoke canister in anger.
He was celebrating in front of his own fans after scoring what could turn out to be a crucial goal in the fight against the drop.
It would be a nightmare for him to be kept out of any Toffees games in the run in as a result, but any trouble with the police would be another level.
It’s not clear whether the player is at risk of legal issues from the new investigation, but that would seem excessive if he were.
But there are rules on these kinds of items, and former referees chief Keith Hackett certainly believes the 24-year-old is in line for a ban.
It is the second time in recent weeks that an incident with a player has seen the police get involved, after Cristiano Ronaldo was accused of assaulting a fan and smashing his phone after Manchester United’s 1-0 loss at Goodison (9 April).
The atmosphere produced by the home fans, especially for games against the biggest teams is certainly having a major effect, and largely to the benefit of the team, but this time it might have led to a negative one for Frank Lampard’s side.
In other Everton news, a current Premier League referee has named a former Toffees hero as the toughest player he’s ever had to officiate.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on Everton plus more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.