Man ties himself to goal post for eight minutes during Everton vs Newcastle – reason behind the drama revealed

Oil protestor ties himself to goal post [photo courtesy]

The Premier League fixture between Everton and Newcastle United was held up for eight minutes on Thursday after a protestor tied himself to the goal post at the Gwladys Street end of Goodison Park.

The incident happened just after halftime, with the invader wearing a jersey with the words "Just Stop Oil".

The group claiming responsibility for the protest on Twitter said: "Our government is betraying us by funding new oil fields in the North Sea. New oil means destruction of our children’s future.

"It means war on small island states. And it means suffering now for the poorest and most marginalised in all regions."

The protester at Everton was wearing a t-shirt bearing the words "Just Stop Oil" - a movement that aims to force the government to halt investment in new fossil fuels. pic.twitter.com/rRrHpVj5e0

— James Nalton (@JDNalton) March 17, 2022

Newcastle are owned by a consortium involving the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, and comes in the week that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has visited that country.

It took a number of stewards and security staff to remove the intruder after he was cut free from the post, and had to be carried out of the stadium as he refused to leave on his own.

Meanwhile Iwobi lights up Goodison with dramatic winner against Newcastle

 Alex Iwobi scored in the ninth minute of stoppage time as desperate Everton secured what could be a precious three points in their battle with relegation following a 1-0 win over Newcastle United in the Premier League on Thursday.

March 17, 2022 Everton's Alex Iwobi scores their first goal REUTERS

Everton had been reduced to 10 men following a red card for midfielder Allan on 83 minutes but, roared on by a vociferous home crowd, found a winning moment as Iwobi combined with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and side-footed the ball into the net.

The goal came in what turned out to be 17 minutes of stoppage time after the game was stopped at the start of the second half when a pitch invader tied himself to a post in the goal at the Gwladys Street end of the ground and took a while to be removed.

Everton move three points clear of the relegation zone with 25 points from 27 games, while Newcastle are in 14th place with 31 points from 29 matches and suffer their second defeat in a row after a loss at Chelsea at the weekend.