Everton will ban supporter for involvement in player confrontation

Everton is taking action after a child-holding supporter appeared to hit Anthony Lopes.

On Friday, Everton announced that, after reviewing the footage of an incident that took place during the second half of the Toffees' 2-1 defeat to Olympique Lyonnais in the Europa League, action will be taken and one individual will be banned from future fixtures.

In the 64th minute, Ashley Williams pushed Anthony Lopes into the advertising hoardings while the French 'keeper was collecting the ball. The shove triggered a skirmish between players, during which one supporter appeared to hit the shot-stopper while carrying a child with his left arm.

A club statement read: "Club officials have reviewed the footage of an incident that occurred in the 64th minute of the game against Olympique Lyonnais where supporters towards the front of the lower Gwlady's Street End became involved in a confrontation between players. We have identified one individual whom action will now be taken against. This will include a ban from attending future Everton fixtures and the club registering a formal complaint with Merseyside Police."

According to the Guardian's Andy Hunter, the supporter in question is the fan who appeared to hit Lopes while holding a child.

"I don't think it is part of the English atmosphere to hit an away player, but it was like this," Lopes said. "It was no big deal. It happened and that was it. For me, it seemed to wake up the fans and they seemed to love it."

Merseyside Police issued a statement, confirming that officers are investigating "following a disturbance on the pitch during a football match between Everton and Lyon at Goodison Park." Disciplinary proceedings were also opened by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body, as the Toffees were charged with "aggressions by supporters against players."

Everton is last in Group E with only one point from three games, while Lyon is second with five points - two back of Atalanta BC.