Everton and Liverpool fans unite in applause to pay moving tribute to Ava White during derby

Everton and Liverpool fans applaud in memory of Ava White and display a banner calling for an end to knife-carrying culture.
The LED screen at Goodison Park displays a tribute to Ava White. Photo: Getty Images The LED screen at Goodison Park displays a tribute to Ava White. Photo: Getty Images
The LED screen at Goodison Park displays a tribute to Ava White. Photo: Getty Images

Everton and Liverpool fans paid a moving tribute to Ava White during Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Supporters from both clubs joined together in collective applause on 12 minutes in memory of 12-year-old Ava, who died after being stabbed in Liverpool city centre last week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rival fans also teamed up to prepare a joint banner for the Premier League fixture, calling for an end to knife-carrying culture.

The creators of the powerful banner said: “For 90 minutes we’ll be giving each other stick, but when it comes to something like this it’s something we can all agree on... it’s such a tragic event”

A banner saying ‘No more knives in our city’ is displayed in the stand prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool. Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesA banner saying ‘No more knives in our city’ is displayed in the stand prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool. Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
A banner saying ‘No more knives in our city’ is displayed in the stand prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool. Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Ava, who had been in town with friends, suffered “catastrophic injuries” in an assault on Thursday night after attending the Christmas lights switch-on at Church Street.

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with her murder and appeared in Liverpool Crown Court via video link earlier on Wednesday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The teenager, who will remain in custody and cannot be named for legal reasons, will return to court on 18 February for a plea hearing.

She was taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where sadly she died a short time later, despite the best efforts of medical staff.

Ava died on White Ribbon Day - a worldwide campaign to end violence against women and girls.