Everton manager Marco Silva has accused his under-performing players of 'hiding' after a disappointing start to their Premier League campaign.
The Merseyside club have suffered defeats in three of their past four Premier League matches, the latest coming at home against newly-promoted Sheffield United last weekend, putting Silva's position under pressure.
Ahead of Tuesday's League Cup trip to Sheffield Wednesday, Silva did not hold back with the criticism and demanded a reaction from his players.
"It is not the moment for anyone to hide," Silva told British media.
"I said it inside the dressing room, too (after the Sheffield United defeat) – there is nowhere we can hide, we have to show stronger character, personality."
"It is a moment for us to go and play football and to take responsibility as well... I am always here for our fans, I will not hide, no one can hide."
Everton enjoyed a busy summer transfer window, completing deals for Moise Kean, Alex Iwobi, Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Jonas Lossl.
However, Silva's side currently sit 14th in the league standings with seven points from six matches.
The situation at Goodison Park has not yet reached a crisis point but Everton face a critical run of fixtures ahead of next month's international break, including a home league match against reigning champions Manchester City.
While Silva refused to discuss whether he would make wholesale changes to the squad, he said the match against Sheffield Wednesday had become "really important".
Hungary, Slovakia get stadium bans for fans' racist behaviour
Hungary and Slovakia will play their next Euro 2020 qualifiers behind closed doors after both national federations were sanctioned by European soccer's governing body UEFA on Monday for racist behaviour by their supporters.
Riot police were called into action in Budapest after trouble erupted in the stands during the Euro 2020 Group D qualifier between the teams on Sept. 9, which Slovakia won 2-1.
In addition to the racism charge, the Hungarian federation was also sanctioned for their fans throwing objects and setting off fireworks and was fined 67,125 euros ($73,710).
Slovakia's federation was fined 20,000 euros.
Slovakia's next UEFA match is a Euro 2020 qualifier at home to Wales on Oct. 10 while Hungary's qualifier against visiting Azerbaijan on Oct. 13 will also be played behind closed doors.
Slovakia and Hungary both have nine points from five games, one point behind Croatia and three ahead of Wales.
The Romanian Football Federation was fined 83,000 euros and ordered to play its next two games behind closed doors for failing to control fans in Group F games with Spain and Malta.
Romania was sanctioned for pitch invasions, setting off fireworks, throwing objects and racist behaviour by their supporters, including offensive banners and chants.
Romania's next home game is against Norway on Oct. 15 but UEFA said in a statement that the punishment related to the second match was suspended for one year.
Romania are third in the standings with 10 points from six games, eight adrift of leaders Spain and and one behind Sweden.
