Adam Wharton's Family Involved in Fan Altercation Before Crystal Palace's Lyon Match

The family of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton was involved in an altercation with French football fans on Thursday night, prior to the club's match against Lyon. The incident occurred on a metro platform, where a group of Lyon supporters were seen chanting the French national anthem at Crystal Palace fans.

Video footage posted on X shows station staff attempting to separate the groups. At one point, a Palace fan can be heard challenging the Lyon supporters, before being pulled away. Adam Wharton's brother, Simon, was also involved, appearing to exchange words and gestures with rival fans.

Wharton's parents, Helen and John, who are known to travel to away games and have their own chant among supporters, stepped in to act as peacemakers. Helen Wharton, identified as a PE teacher, reportedly used her experience to calm her son Simon and encourage the other Crystal Palace fan to de-escalate the situation, thereby preventing further conflict.

The original poster of the video on X described the incident as the 'start of a fight' but noted that security and law enforcement quickly separated the individuals involved. The confrontation reportedly began after someone 'barrelling down the stairs'.

Crystal Palace has been contacted for comment regarding the incident. The club lost the match against Lyon with a score of 3-2, with Adam Wharton captaining the team.

Adam Wharton joined Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers in 2024 for a fee of £18 million. The 22-year-old midfielder has made 105 appearances for the Eagles, winning three trophies during his time with the club. He has also earned four caps for England and was part of the Euro 2024 squad, though he has been named in only two squad selections during Thomas Tuchel's tenure as manager.