5 worst fights to have broken out on a football pitch

#3 Everton vs. Lyon, 2017

One of the worst football brawls in recent memory came this past October during a Europa League match between Everton and Lyon at Goodison Park. Lyon won the match 2-1, but both teams found themselves in hot water following a wild fracas between multiple players in the second half that even ended up involving a fan.

Everton captain Ashley Williams caused the whole mess when he roughly tackled Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, causing his teammate Bertrand Traore to square up to the Welshman. Suddenly multiple players became involved – even Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who sprinted almost the length of the pitch – and suddenly punches were being thrown as the brawl spilled towards the advertising hoardings.

Eventually cooler heads prevailed, and somehow only Williams and Traore found themselves booked – probably because the referee couldn’t really figure out exactly who was exchanging blows. But it was Everton who were fined by UEFA – not because of the actions of their players, but because a fan – incredibly holding a small child – had come to the edge of the pitch to throw a punch at Lucas Tousart. Everton banned the fan but still had to pay up to the tune of £30,000 for the shameful scenes.