‘WE’RE GOING BACK TO THE DARK AGES’

EVERTON will hand indefinite stadium bans to those found guilty of throwing objects after two Aston Villa players were struck with items flung from the crowd.

Merseyside Police viewed CCTV footage and arrested one fan during Everton’s 1-0 home defeat. Caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson branded the actions of those who hurled plastic bottles as being ‘bang out of order’.

The incident happened after Emi Buendia had scored the only goal of the game and ran off to celebrate with a number of Villa players, including Lucas Digne,

whom Everton recently sold to Villa for £25million.

Digne, who had been booed by sections of the crowd, had gone to take a corner, his delivery was met by Buendia, whose header looped into the top corner. But soon after Digne was lying on the turf clutching his face, while Matty Cash rubbed the back of his head after several objects rained down on them.

No medical treatment was required but the incident enraged

Ferguson, who said: ‘I never saw the bottles thrown but I’ve been told that. That is bang out of order. That is not the way to do things. That is totally wrong.’

Everton wasted no time issuing a statement and they have made it clear they will come down on those found guilty in the strongest possible terms. They said: ‘Police have arrested a supporter at Goodison Park for throwing a missile on to the pitch during today’s Premier League match.

‘Everton security staff and Merseyside police identified the supporter using CCTV footage.

‘Investigations in conjunction with the police are ongoing, and the club will issue bans to any fans identified throwing objects.’

The FA are also investigating the bottle being thrown.

Speaking on BT Sport, Jermaine Jenas said: ‘It’s disgusting, if I’m totally honest. We’re going back to old times and the dark ages of football.’