An Everton fan has been jailed for eight weeks after attacking opposition players while holding his toddler. Michael Fitzpatrick was holding his three-year-old, dummy-sucking son in one arm and using his other to grapple or punch at opposition players during a Europa Cup tie between Everton and Lyon last October.
The 30-year-old, from Prescot , Merseyside, later said he felt ashamed by his behaviour and feared he would be banned from accessing his children.
Fitzpatrick was jailed for eight weeks after pleading guilty to assault, when he appeared at the community justice centre in Bootle on 23 May, Merseyside police said. He was also given a six-year football banning order due to the serious aggravating factor of the assault occurring while holding a child.
The incident happened during the second half of the first leg as the home side trailed Lyon.
Everton skipper Ashley Williams’ pushed goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, which led to a heated confrontation between several Everton and Lyon players. It continued off the pitch in front of the Howard Kendall Gwladys Street End.
Everton FC banned Fitzpatrick for life from its grounds.