Exclusive: Points deduction verdict issued over Everton vs Liverpool brawl
Everton and Liverpool potentially facing points deductions following the brawl between the two sets of players at the end of the Merseyside derby has been assessed by Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that financial sanctions are more likely to be imposed on the two clubs and it is “unlikely” to lead to a sporting punishment.
Wednesday night (12 February) saw the two sides play out a dramatic last ever Merseyside derby to be held at Goodison Park.
After Everton controversially took the lead through Beto, Liverpool hit back to lead thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah.
However, James Tarkwoski’s equaliser deep into second-half stoppage time ensured the Toffees dramatically snatched a point late on, which then led to more controversy after the final whistle.
Everton vs Liverpool desecends into chaos
At full-time, Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure began to celebrate the result in front of the away end.
That prompted an angry response from Curtis Jones, and caused a brawl between players and officials from both Everton and Liverpool.
Doucoure and Jones were both sent off for their part in the melee, along with Arne Slot and his assistant, while a bottle that was thrown from the crowd during that clash between Liverpool and Everton which is also likely to be dealt with by police.
In the past, similar brawls on the field have resulted in points deductions for the sides involved, such as one infamous meeting between Man United and Arsenal refereed by Hackett himself in November 1990.
However, the former referee does not believe there will a repeat of these punishments for either Everton or Liverpool.
Keith Hackett delivers points deduction claim after Merseyside derby
Speaking to Football Insider about whether the two clubs could receive a points deduction for what happened at Goodison Park, the former referee said:
“The authorities operating today prefer to sanction these incidents through monetary fines. UEFA apply monetary fines and at times will ban spectators from the next game.
“The catalyst of this problem was the Everton player Doucoure celebrating in a confrontational and unwise manner in front of Liverpool fans. Then we saw Liverpool’s Jones over react and take exception to this.
“The result was a mass confrontation and even spectators joining in. There will be a thorough review by the Police and The Football Association. The bottle throwing incident will be in the agenda also.”
Thinking back to the Arsenal vs Man United incident 35 years ago he added: “Always smile when I see myself in that Old Trafford confrontation.”
Liverpool currently sit seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table, while Everton are 15th, ten points above the relegation zone.
Liverpool star Diogo Jota faces an uncertain future on Merseyside after another season plagued by injury.
Football Insider revealed on Monday (10 February) that Liverpool are frustrated with the 28-year-old’s fitness record and could render himself unreliable if he cannot remain available.
