Outrage has been caused in Liverpool after Everton's iconic Dixie Dean statue was damaged with a flare.
Video footage emerged on Monday showing an incident outside Goodison Park, leaving fans upset and angry.
The clip appeared to show a flare burning on the arm of the statue, which is a tribute to the Everton legend, with dozens of floral arrangements lying underneath.
The site of the Dixie Dean statue has become synonymous with fans who leave flowers and wreaths around it for loved ones.
It is understood the incident took place in the early hours of Sunday morning before burning out and causing a small amount of damage.
Everton staff cleaned the statue on Monday before contacting police and passing on vital CCTV footage.
Fans on Twitter described the damage as "disgusting" and "disgraceful" in response to seeing the video on social media.
The Premier League club are now working with Merseyside Police to investigate the incident.
A statement released by Everton read: "Everton is assisting Merseyside Police with enquiries in relation to a flare ignited on the Dixie Dean statue outside Goodison Park.
"We encourage anyone with information relating to this disappointing and disrespectful incident to contact Merseyside Police.
"Following inspection - and cleaning of the memorial and the site - we can thankfully confirm no permanent damage has been done to the statue of our greatest-ever goalscorer - or the floral tributes laid at the foot of the statue."
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We are aware of footage showing a flare at the Dixie Dean statue outside Goodison Park.
"The footage appears to show a flare on the statue on Spellow Lane, and enquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances."
Merseyside Police Acting Chief Inspector Robert Ross added: "Flares can cause serious injury to people and damage to property, and seizures like Friday’s show our determination to prevent them being used irresponsibly and from causing serious injury and distress.
"We will continue to work with all our emergency services and take action to keep people safe.
"I would urge anyone who knows who is responsible for putting a flare on the Dixie Dean statue, a focal point for so many people at times of celebration and grief, to contact us."
Anyone with information on this incident, or the storage and possession of flares and smoke bombs, is asked to contact @MerPolCC or 101.
Alternatively, you can pass information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
