Everton hit back in Liverpool FC "fans should show respect" row

Mar 31 2008

EVERTON last night stoked up the respect row with Liverpool FC in the wake of Rafa Benitez's dig at Toffee fans

Benitez criticised Everton's away support in the wake of Sunday's derby, claiming they showed 'a lack of respect' with chants aimed at Steven Gerrard at Anfield.

Now Everton have asked the police to investigate captain Phil Neville's claim he was punched in the back by a fan

Ian Ross, Everton's Head of PR, tonight hit back and said: "Whilst we would never condone the singling out of individual players for vitriolic insults, it is a shame that Mr Benitez chose to ignore the actions of his own club's supporters.

"Not only was Joleon Lescott subjected to an afternoon-long barrage of quite disgusting and quite audible abuse, Phil Neville was seemingly spat at several times and was also punched in the back by a supporter as he took a throw-in.

"We have asked Merseyside Police and our Safety Officer to look into the matter.

"In calling for Everton supporters to respect his players, Mr Benitez should, perhaps, remember his comments of 12 months ago when he sought to belittle one of world sport's oldest and most respected institutions by describing us as a 'small club'. Respect is a two-way street."