FA back Everton's search for Carroll attack lout

The Football Association have welcomed Everton‘s initiative to identify the thug who threw an object at Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll during yesterday’s FA Cup tie at Goodison Park.

The fifth-round match was held up in the second half when Carroll was struck by a missile – believed to be a coin – thrown from the crowd.

A number of other missiles were also hurled, including a mobile phone, and after the match violence spilled onto the surrounding streets.

Police made 33 arrests and five officers were injured – one of them requiring hospital treatment – after trying to break up groups of fighting supporters who clashed in the Everton Valley district of Liverpool.

FA head of media Adrian Bevington told The Press Association: “We are in the process of speaking to the club and to Merseyside Police.

“We welcome the comments from Everton Football Club immediately following the match and their desire to have the culprit identified and then for the police to deal with them.

“Individuals who throw missiles must face action from the police and then through the courts, and then receive banning orders to prevent them attending any football both at home at abroad.”

Security had already been high for a match which saw the return of England striker Wayne Rooney to his former club for the first time since his acrimonious £27million move to United last summer.

The atmosphere had been intense from before kick-off and a large-scale police presence was required to escort the away supporters from stadium to the city centre after the match.

A Merseyside Police spokesman stated the arrests made were for public order offences or for being drunk and disorderly.

“The incidents were quickly dealt with by the officers at the scene and the escort was established to cause as little disruption as possible,” the spokesman said.

Manchester United supporters eventually boarded their trains at Liverpool’s Lime Street station shortly after 9pm.

Police revealed they are liaising with Everton stewards over the Carroll incident and will be studying CCTV and TV footage in an effort to identify who threw the missile.

Officers spoke to fans sitting near to where the incident took place in one of the home supporters’ stands and took witness statements.

Ian Ross, Everton’s director of communications, branded the fan responsible as a “mindless moron”.

He said: “It was a disgraceful incident, but an isolated one and we hope the police will be able to deal with it.

“We prepared for a major fixture in the right way, and made appeals to fans about their behaviour. And 99% did behave well but just one fan has disgraced the name of this club.

“We are determined to find him. We accept that we are responsible for the behaviour of our fans and we apologise to Roy Carroll and the Manchester United team. It shouldn’t happen, but how can you stop it?

“One mindless moron spoilt things for everyone else. There is no place for that sort of thing at Goodison Park and when we discover the culprit, he will be banned for life.

“A coin was thrown by a mindless yob and the BBC have made available video footage for Merseyside Police to study.

“We are looking at CCTV and BBC’s film and if we are able to apprehend the culprit he will be banned from this ground for life.”

Two youths were arrested during the match for throwing plastic bottles towards the pitch.

It had been feared Rooney would face an ugly reception following his transfer to United last August.

Rooney angered many Everton fans when he proclaimed he was “once a blue, always a blue” and then promptly signed for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.

He returned to Liverpool as a United player for the first time when he scored the winner against Rafael Benitez’s side in January, but the victory was just as notable for the celebrations which followed.

Rooney joyfully ran towards the Liverpool supporters after his goal which prompted a supporter to throw a mobile phone in his direction.