In a report from Luke Traynor of the Liverpool Echo, three Everton fans who had looked like facing a ban for invading the Bournemouth pitch last weekend have been pardoned.
The Vitality Stadium pitch was invaded by a blue sea of overjoyed Everton fans when local lad Ross Barkley appeared to have stole all three points with his 95th-minute strike. There was still time for more drama as Junior Stanislas scored just two minutes later to level the game at 3-3 and left many Everton fans red faced.
It had initially looked as though three supporters, who were identified by CCTV, would receive a stadium ban until the end of the season, but Everton have since softened their stance. Everton bosses have stated that those fans are now welcome to go to Monday night’s home clash against Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace although their attendance will be reviewed as the season progresses:
While we would emphasise to supporters that coming on the pitch is a criminal offence and may result in a football banning order, we have also listened to fans to understand the circumstances around this particular incident.
As a club, we have to demonstrate to the FA what we have done to prevent these kinds of occurrences and what we will do to prevent them from happening again.
In this instance, we have spoken to some of those arrested and, having reviewed the circumstances, the fans in question will be allowed to come to the game on Monday night and we will further review the situation going forward.
