Evertonians respond to benitez criticism

[peekay]

Everton have responded to comments made by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez concerning the Toffees' travelling fans.

Benitez criticised Everton's away support in the wake of Sunday's 207th Merseyside derby, claiming they showed 'a lack of respect' with chants aimed at Steven Gerrard at Anfield.

Ian Ross, Everton's Head of PR, issued a statement in response.

He 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."

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/response-to-benitez-criticism.html

[Matt]

He probably had a point up until that ridiculous last paragraph

[Joe King]

He probably had a point up until that ridiculous last paragraph

[Marky]

Everton have responded to comments made by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez concerning the Toffees' travelling fans.

Benitez criticised Everton's away support in the wake of Sunday's 207th Merseyside derby, claiming they showed 'a lack of respect' with chants aimed at Steven Gerrard at Anfield.

Ian Ross, Everton's Head of PR, issued a statement in response.

He 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."

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/response-to-benitez-criticism.html

Some scumbags follow this football club. Sad but true.

[slimbimjim]

Nottingham Forest used to be a force in the game but they are a small club now.

**** off Everton.

[ELNINO 9]

they are a small club and a sad little bitter club

[Matt]

Slightly off topic but how about this fella as a replacement for Andy Gray?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzVoilgx4iU

[calvoboy]

That's a load of ****e. I saw the incident Neville is on about, and he sat on the hand of a fan in the lower centenary as he went to take a throw in during the second half. He span round as if he'd been pushed or punched, but there was no movement towards him by any of the fans, and he certainly wasn't spat at or punched.

Just more bitter bollocks from the battered and beaten blues.

[carlton]

Rafa. Legend.

They will never live that 'small club' crack down. Shankleyesque it was.

[calvoboy]

Nottingham Forest used to be a force in the game but they are a small club now.

**** off Everton.

With more European Cups than the bitters, and as many as the Mancs, I think Forest are officially a "sleeping giant" now

[Red_Polo]

He probably had a point up until that ridiculous last paragraph

[anfieldanfield]

Everton have responded to comments made by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez concerning the Toffees' travelling fans.

Benitez criticised Everton's away support in the wake of Sunday's 207th Merseyside derby, claiming they showed 'a lack of respect' with chants aimed at Steven Gerrard at Anfield.

Ian Ross, Everton's Head of PR, issued a statement in response.

He 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."

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/response-to-benitez-criticism.html

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!

That last paragraph was ****ing funny.

[desertscouser]

Some scumbags follow this football club. Sad but true.

Go and support Arsenal fella.

[Scratch]

Go and support Arsenal fella.

So you've no problem with our fans spitting at players from other clubs then (if true)? Nice to know what sort of people we have following our club.

[kop1te]

Slightly off topic but how about this fella as a replacement for Andy Gray?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzVoilgx4iU

He's good but not enough passion