Everton directors told not to attend Southampton game over ‘real and credible threat to their safety’

At the Southampton match, Everton supporters organized demonstrations against the board; the club claims that “Board members received the instruction following malicious & unacceptably threatening correspondence received by the club”; at a recent home game, Everton CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale was placed in a headlock by a fan. Following another loss that left Everton tied for last place in the Premier League, fan organizations demonstrated against the board throughout the game.

After Goodison Park’s sixth defeat in seven league games, boos erupted, and many supporters stayed behind to stage a planned sit-in to express their displeasure with the owners.

Hundreds of Everton supporters remained to chant’sack the board’, according to Peter Stevenson of Sky Sports News, who was at Goodison Park. Any pitch invasion was being prevented by a large number of stewards.As this renowned ancient club faces an increasing risk of sliding into the Championship, many fans simply appeared to be standing in startled silence.”It’s an unthinkable prospect as their costly new stadium takes shape on the banks of the Mersey.”

According to an Everton statement, “The results of the safety assessment conducted by security advisers have been grudgingly accepted by Chairman Bill Kenwright, CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Chief Finance and Strategy Officer Grant Ingles, and non-executive director Graeme Sharp.

“The board members received the instruction following malicious and unacceptably threatening correspondence received by the club and increasing incidents of anti-social behaviour – including targeted physical aggression – at recent home matches.”

A safety and security specialist stated: “Following a thorough risk assessment, and in response to tangible threats received by the club and intelligence we have gathered, the club’s board members have been told they must not attend today’s fixture.”

“This is a first for Everton Football Club – never before has our entire Board of Directors been ordered not to attend a match on safety grounds,” a club spokesperson continued. For Everton and its supporters, today is a very depressing day.

In recent weeks, board members’ concerns have grown. At a recent home game, a fan put chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale in a headlock. Barrett-Baxendale was quite unharmed.

In an open letter this week, owner Farhad Moshiri emphasized that he and the club’s goals were in line with those of the supporters, but he also emphasized that he still had full faith in manager Frank Lampard and the board.”We are all agreed that our current league position must and will improve,” he stated. “The focus of myself, the club and the fans is aligned – a better Everton – and I am confident we can move forward in a constructive and positive manner.”

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