Man arrested after police bottled and steward headbutted in Goodison Park

Police were forced to use pepper spray

Author: Nathan MarshPublished 14th Feb 2022

A man has been arrested after a steward was assaulted at Goodison Park during the Everton v Leeds United match on Saturday afternoon (12 February).

At around 4.05pm at the start of the second half, it was reported a steward had been headbutted by a man in the away section on the Lower Bullens stand.

Officers attended and while attempting to detain the man, other members of the crowd began to throw bottles at officers and two officers were punched in the face.

One man, aged 44 from Skipton, was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and assaulting an officer. He was taken into custody to be interviewed and has been released under investigation.

When police were assaulted, officers used pepper spray in order to bring the situation under control.

Police say efforts were made to identify anyone affected by the spray and provide them with aftercare and support.

The use of PAVA in this incident has been reviewed by the force's Professional Standards Department, who are satisfied that its use was proportionate and necessary.

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and Merseyside Police is examining CCTV and working with Everton FC and Leeds United to establish the full circumstances and identify any offenders.

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