It's Merseyside Derby day as Liverpool take the short trip to Goodison Park this afternoon. It's always bound to be a tense clash between the sides and an entertaining watch for everyone, but it's the actions of a small minority of Everton supporters that has caused outrage today.
In 2019, a mural of Liverpool full back Trent Alexander-Arnold was painted on Anfield Road, to raise awareness for the charity 'Fans Supporting Foodbanks'. Across the road, there's other murals painted of Jordan Henderson and former Liverpool legends.
The mural of Mo Salah has also been damaged, with visible racial slurs spray painted across.
Seeing what some Everton fans have done to our murals is saddening.
Rivalry is great, but they’ve taken it too far.
Racial slurs on Salah’s mural. Trent and Hendo’s completely ruined.
The murals were done for foodbanks benefitting the whole city, red and blue.
Pathetic bunch.— 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒄𝒐🧣 (@KIopptinho) September 3, 2022
Supporters from both clubs are heavily involved with the iniative with helps to feed and support families across the city who are suffering.
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Everton fans vandalise mural
This morning, a video was released on Twitter which showed the murals vandalised prior to today's kick off.
Imagine defacing a mural commissioned to celebrate and promote @SFoodbanks, a vital initiative that supports local families and is ran and supported by fans of both clubs? pic.twitter.com/gfGDWa8gF6
— Andy Heaton (@Andrew_Heaton) September 3, 2022
It's undoubtedly a vile and unnecessary act done by a small minority of Everton fans, but with the foodbanks ran, supported and used by fans from both the blue and red side of Liverpool, it's a shame to see.
Social media has erupted with reaction to the video with Liverpool and Everton fans quick to condemn the vandalism.
It’s obviously a group of herberts. Can’t generalise to a whole clubs fans. I lived there for 5 years, and it was nothing like the media portrays it. I’ve got friends on both sides, and.. they get on too. @Jophes86 @stebyrne84 @AndyMacLFC1 #LFC #EVE #YNWA
— James Reading (@JReadingAloud87) September 3, 2022
When did the this change? I remember when both sets of fans stood together with no bother I mean I even stood in the Gladwys st in the early 80s. Shame tbh
— kcunningham (@kathyc1967) September 3, 2022
This is absolutely disgusting. Defacing a mural which raises awareness about food poverty and represents an organisation that supports people in the Everton ward. Racial slurs next to players, vile language.
There’s no excuse. Football rivalry shouldn’t warrant this behaviour. https://t.co/QdxuR7jrtz— LRJ ⚡️♌️ (she/her) (@itsmelrj) September 3, 2022
'Fans Supporting Foodbanks' released a tweet earlier on saying:
Hungers not Red, Blue or Green, it doesn't have a Race, Religion or a Gender it doesn't discriminate. Hunger doesn't discriminate, it can impact on us all
A classy and brief statement from an even classier organisation who have set up a donation van outside Goodison Park today, where fans from both side can donate food for the less privileged around the city.
It's certainly a bad luck for Everton, but it is worth noting that the actions were done by an individual rather than the whole Toffee fan base.
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