The forward has issued a second comment on an issue that is being looked into by police and Everton FC
Everton forward Thierno Barry
Everton forward Thierno Barry(Image: Craig Cowan/ProSports/Shutterstock)
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Thierno Barry has denied claims friends of his in the Everton end at Arsenal were supporting the home team.
The forward, who on Saturday night shared images of what police described as an “altercation” in the away stands at the Emirates, had claimed his associates had to be escorted away by security staff due to safety concerns.
The incident is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police and Merseyside Police and Everton is also reviewing what happened. Barry’s post was met by allegations online that trouble was sparked by people among the Blues supporters who appeared to be backing Arsenal. The ECHO understands police have been made aware of those claims.
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Barry returned to the matter on Instagram on Sunday, seemingly in order to respond to those suggestions. In a post to his 174,000 followers on the platform, the France youth international wrote: “Some of the information circulating does not reflect reality. Contrary to what has been suggested, I never gave tickets to Arsenal supporters. The people who were present to support me have always followed the clubs I have played for throughout my career, from Beveren to Basel, through Villarreal and now Everton. Yesterday, some of them were even wearing an Everton shirt with my name on it.”
Barry claimed his friends were not involved in footage from the stands circulating on social media and suggested it was people linked to another player who may have “mistakenly” believed to have been supporting Arsenal, who won 2-0 after late goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Max Dowman.Barry added: “I simply want to remind everyone that violence has no place in football, regardless of the circumstances.”
The incident is being probed by Merseyside Police, which supports the local force when clubs, and the Metropolitan Police, which oversees matches at the Emirates. They are understood to be aware of the allegations the incident may have involved people who appeared to support Arsenal.
In an appeal for information released on Saturday night, the dedicated Merseyside Police account for sharing information surrounding Everton matches on X, formerly Twitter, wrote: “Aware of videos circulating online of an altercation in the away section towards the end of the#ARSEVE match. We’re working with the Met Police to investigate.”
And Everton called on anyone with information to support the police enquiry. In a statement issued on Saturday night, the club said: “Everton Football Club is aware of an incident involving supporters in the away section at Emirates Stadium and will review the circumstances surrounding it.
“Violent or disorderly behaviour is completely unacceptable and has no place in football. It does not reflect the passionate and loyal support Everton receives both home and away.
“The club will work with the relevant authorities to establish the facts and take any appropriate action.
“Anyone who witnessed or was involved in the incident is asked to contact Merseyside Police via X @MerPolCC quoting reference 26000206746.”