Everton forward Richarlison charged with improper conduct after throwing smoke bomb

Everton forward Richarlison has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association (FA) after throwing a smoke bomb during the Toffees' Premier League win over Chelsea last month.

While celebrating after scoring the game's only goal early in the second half, the Brazilian picked up an object which had been thrown onto the playing surface before hurling it back towards an empty part of the ground, albeit close to the stands.

Footage from Sky Sports showed the smoke bomb striking the side of the stands at Goodison Park before falling back to the ground.

A statement released by the FA on Wednesday confirmed the Brazilian's charge, noting he had until June 8 to provide a response.

Shortly after the charge was announced, Richarlison posted an image of himself holding up the smoke bomb to his official social media accounts.

pic.twitter.com/RQkDpyjNzF

— Richarlison Andrade (@richarlison97) June 1, 2022

Richarlison played a crucial role as Everton maintained their Premier League status despite enduring an underwhelming campaign under both Rafael Benitez and Frank Lampard, ending the season with more league goals (10) and assists (five) than any other Toffees player.

The Brazil forward's charge comes just one day after boss Lampard was fined £30,000 by the FA following his own charge of improper conduct, having suggested a penalty which was not awarded to Everton in April's Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool at Anfield would been given to their opponents.