Everton charged over pitch invasions after Crystal Palace clash

A 3-2 victory for the Toffees in their final home match of the season ensured their top flight survival at the last gasp, leading to fans running onto the Goodison Park pitch.

Things got nasty though when one supporter filmed an altercation with Palace boss Vieira, who was later cleared by the Football Association for what appeared to be a kick at a fan.

Everton though, haven't escaped punishment, with the FA announcing they have been charged with two rule breaches.

A statement from the organisation read: "Everton FC has been charged with two breaches of FA Rule E20 following its Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace FC on Thursday 19 May 2022.

"It is alleged that in the 84th minute and then following completion of the fixture, Everton FC failed to ensure that its spectators, and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers, conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using threatening and/or violent behaviour whilst encroaching onto the pitch area.

"Everton FC has until Monday 18 July 2022 to provide a response."

Goodison Park wasn't the first English stadium to see a pitch invasion as the season wound down, with Sheffield United strikers Rhian Brewster and Oli McBurnie later both charged with common assault after clashes following the conclusion of their Championship play-off semi-final loss to Nottingham Forest.

One supporter was also jailed for assaulting Blades captain Billy Sharp, and handed a ten-year ban from football.

FA chair Debbie Hewitt commented on the rise of pitch invasions in June, saying that harsher penalties are on their way.

"It's a worrying and ugly trend," she said. "The pitch is sacred and players, match officials and coaches have to be able to play in a safe environment.

"If you look at some of the footage that happens at the end of last season, it was disturbing and anything but safe for those players and indeed for some of those fans that invaded the pitch.

"It's a huge concern and we are working in the FA to put in place the toughest possible sanctions that we can."

Bristol Rovers and Huddersfield have also been issued similar charges to the one Everton have been handed, with full or parietal stadium closures set to be imposed for breaches ahead of the new season.