UK Edition
Jordan Pickford under investigation by Everton following alleged fracas outside a Sunderland bar
Everton are investigating a fracas involving their goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The club say they are speaking to the 25-year-old following the emergence of video footage on social media in which he was apparently filmed in an altercation outside a Sunderland bar.
Pickford has told his club the situation followed a verbal attack after he was given permission to return to his native North East following Everton’s 2-0 victory over West Ham United on Saturday night.
His intention was to remain in the capital and watch his boyhood club, Sunderland, in their Checkatrade Trophy final with Portsmouth. Instead, he changed his plans to celebrate Mother’s Day in Sunderland with his family and that of his fiancee.
It is understood that, while out, Pickford was initially subjected to what has been described as good-natured rather than malicious mocking of recent mistakes, being told he had “small arms” and “butterfingers”.
The abuse became more unsavoury later in the evening, with Pickford’s fiancee also targeted.
Onlookers can be heard shouting “Jordan” as a fight breaks out on the video before the man believed to be Pickford is dragged away from the fracas as the scene turned ugly.
Pickford’s agent confirmed on Monday night the player was involved in the brawl. A source close to Pickford said: “No one wants to see that kind of thing but it wasn’t as bad as it may have looked, it was over in 10 seconds.
“He was trying to have a drink and enjoy the match, people were goading him and there was a brief flare-up.”
Club officials were last night establishing the facts behind what happened. “The club has been made aware of an alleged incident involving one of our players and we are looking into the matter,” said a club spokesman.
Police earlier said it was also investigating the circumstances around the incident, having been called to the incident shortly after midnight without making any arrests. “Police received a report of a disturbance involving a large group of individuals,” a spokesperson said. “Enquiries are ongoing to determine the circumstances and locate those involved.”
It has been a tough season for the goalkeeper since being catapulted to stardom as a result of his impressive performances in last summer’s World Cup finals. The England international’s displays have been more critically scrutinised and his desire to maintain normality off it has been difficult.
Last month, the Everton manager Marco Silva said that the 25-year-old needed to show “more emotional balance” after making what were perceived as errors of judgment in the 3-2 defeat by Sunderland’s rivals Newcastle.
Earlier this season, however, Pickford said that he saw only benefits from his new status. “I think, the lifestyle side of it, you just get more people in the street coming up and recognising you. It is touching,” he said. “My followers on social media went through the roof, which I was happy about.”