Everton fined for field invasions last season

LIVERPOOL, England: Everton are counting the cost of the jubilant but raucous scenes sparked after they avoided relegation from the English Premier League last season. The club were fined 300,000 pounds ($334,000) for on-field invasions during and after a 3-2 win against Crystal Palace on May 19.

The dramatic victory secured top-flight safety for Frank Lampard’s team – and prompted wild celebrations at their Goodison Park home. Fans ran onto the field when Dominic Calvert-Lewin struck a late winner.

Everton had been trailing 2-0 at halftime and was closer to relegation from the league for the first time in their history. Supporters ran on again after the final whistle, with one involved in an ugly altercation with Palace manager Patrick Vieira.

Everton were charged with misconduct in July, and on Friday the English Football Association confirmed sanctions imposed by an independent regulatory commission. “Everton FC admitted failing to ensure that their spectators – and all persons purporting to be their supporters or followers – conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using threatening and violent behavior whilst encroaching onto the pitch area,” the FA said in a statement.