FA panel left exasperated by Everton after controversial February incident
A Football Association (FA) panel has been left “exasperated” by the disciplinary history of Everton, according to The Athletic.
The Toffees received a heavy fine for failing to control their players in their league match against Leeds United in February.
That £55,000 punishment came immediately after a £40,000 fine handed to Everton for the same offence during the Merseyside Derby clash with Liverpool just five days earlier.
“Take Everton’s Premier League game against Leeds United in February,” according to The Athletic. “Both clubs were charged with failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in a fixture Everton won 1-0.
“Flared tempers in the 42nd minute brought what the FA termed a “mass confrontation” between the two teams, but the fines that eventually followed were different; Everton were stung for £55,000 but Leeds had to cough up only £35,000.
“The written reasons for the disciplinary case are an attempt to outline why. An incident that began with Dwight McNeil of Everton and Leeds’ Tyler Adams pushing and shoving was said to have been accelerated through the behaviour of Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure, who ‘was clearly the most aggressive of anyone involved.’
“Everton’s disciplinary history also clearly left the panel exasperated. They pointed to a charge that had come in the same week, following the derby against Liverpool five days before the Leeds match, that would bring a £40,000 fine. ‘That charge should have been ringing loud and clear in the ears of the players and staff… it clearly was not,’ concluded the panel, who felt the £55,000 fine was warranted.”
Poor discipline
Desperate times call for desperate measures, so Everton’s frustration on the pitch is understandable given their miserable Premier League campaign.
Only Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Crystal Palace have been handed more yellow cards than the Toffees this season, as per the official Premier League website.
It shows that Everton players often let their emotions get the better of them, but fans will also point to their determination to fight for the club in this regard, with that spirit and passion definitely needed in the weeks to come.
But given the club’s recent financial woes, the powers that be at Goodison will be urging Sean Dyche to control his players on the pitch, with the fines definitely not a welcome addition to the struggles behind the scenes.
This season is, however, not an anomaly, with the Toffees sitting top of the all-time Premier League red cards list, and behind only Chelsea in the all-time Premier League yellow cards list.