Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Everton condemn “threatening, racist, and misogynistic” abuse of striker’s wife Sandra
Mantej Mann
3 minutes
Everton have condemned “threatening, racist, and misogynistic” abuse aimed towards the wife of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Sandra Calvert-Lewin received online abuse after posting a message in support of her husband, who played his final game at Goodison Park in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Southampton.
The 28-year-old forward has scored 30 Premier League goals for the Toffees at their home ground – a record bettered only by Duncan Ferguson and Romelu Lukaku.
Following Everton’s finale at Goodison Park before relocating to their new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock next season, Sandra Calvert-Lewin posted on Instagram: “30 goals at Goodison. Top 3 ever. They might not shout it – but we’re proud every single day.”
The English forward has endured a dismal campaign, scoring just twice at Goodison Park this season, and her post was criticised by some Toffees supporters.
The club said: “Everton Football Club strongly condemns the threatening, racist, and misogynistic abuse directed towards the wife of Dominic Calvert-Lewin on social media.
“This sinister and intimidating behaviour is not only deeply hurtful and distressing, it is also criminal – and does not represent the values of Everton or the overwhelming majority of our supporters.
“The club has a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of discriminatory and abusive behaviour. We are working closely with Merseyside Police and the Premier League to ensure the individuals responsible are identified and held accountable for their actions.
“Threats or abuse of any kind – whether online or in person – are completely unacceptable and have no place in our game or in society. The club urges anyone who sees or experiences such behaviour to report it to the authorities and relevant social media platforms immediately.
“We will continue to offer our full support to Dominic and his family.”
In response, Merseyside Police said: “We are aware of racist and threatening social media comments directed towards the wife of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
“To send such abhorrent messages to anyone online is utterly appalling and we are working with Everton Football Club as part of our initial enquiries.
“We take these reports extremely seriously and would like to remind social media users that any belief that they can maintain anonymity online to commit offences is misplaced.
“Offences committed online, which includes making threats and racist abuse, can be investigated.”
Calvert-Lewin and Michael Keane react to Nathan Patterson’s message ahead of Everton farewell
Everton are just weeks away from an emotional goodbye to both Goodison Park and several of their most experienced players.
David Moyes’ side drew 2-2 with relegated Ipswich on Saturday in their penultimate match in front of the Grand Old Lady, ahead of their clash with another Championship-bound side, Southampton, on 18 May.
Goals from top scorer Beto and a first since September for the fit-again Dwight McNeil weren’t enough to keep the Tractor Boys out, as Ipswich came from 2-0 down to secure their first point in three games.
After an initial uptick in form under Moyes which included four wins from his first six matches back in charge of the Blues, Everton have won just once in their 10 games since as the end of the season nears.
David Moyes
David Moyes faces a massive sunmmer ahead at Everton (Credit: Imago)
Exit-bound Everton stars respond to Nathan Patterson
Like McNeil, who has been limited to just five appearances under Moyes since the Scot re-took charge of the Toffees, Nathan Patterson has missed plenty of football this term after hamtring surgery last summer.
The Scotland right-back has featured more often under Moyes, but Saturday’s draw in which he assisted McNeil’s goal was only the third appearance Patterson has made for Everton since a setback in February.
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On Monday (5 May), Patterson posted on Instagram to show his and Everton’s celebrations for McNeil’s strike midway through the first half, and tagged Goodison Park as its location for the second-to-last time.
Like Goodison, Everton are also set to say goodbye to out-of-contract duo Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Michael Keane at season’s end, and they were two of several Toffees players to like Patterson’s post.
Everton braced for exits amid transformational summer
Everton’s move from Goodison Park to Bramley-Moore Dock coincides with Moyes’ first summer window back at the helm and Dan Friedkin’s first since his takeover in December, and the to-do list is a long one.
Football Insider revealed last month that Keane will “definitely” exit the blue half of Merseyside this summer, and an expected “U-turn” from Newcastle isn’t expected to prevent Calvert-Lewin‘s departure.
Former England keeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider in December that Patterson could be another player whom the Friedkin Group allow to leave Everton, but with youth, re-sale value and a potential run of games on his side, the 23-year-old is likely to stay put.
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