Everton directors asked to stay away from Premier League match due to ‘real threat to their safety’ | UK News

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The club said Everton’s board had been instructed not to attend today’s Premier League match with Southampton due to a “real and credible threat to their safety and security”.

Fans have been known to plan a protest at Goodison Park in the wake of the embarrassing 4-1 home defeat by Brighton last week.

The club said chairman Bill Kenwright, chief executive Dennis Barrett Baxendale, chief financial and strategy director Grant Ingels and non-executive director Graeme Sharp would step away “reluctantly” on the advice of security advisers.

In a statement, Everton described the decision as “unprecedented” and said it was a “very sad day” for the club.

The club said: “The members of the board have been instructed following unacceptably malicious and threatening correspondence the club has received and increasing incidents of anti-social behavior – including targeted physical assault – in recent home matches.

“This is an unprecedented decision for Everton Football Club – never before has the entire board been ordered not to attend a match for safety reasons. It is a very sad day for Everton and Everton.”

A statement from the security and safety advisor issued by the club read: “After conducting a comprehensive risk assessment, and in response to concrete threats received by the club and intelligence we have gathered, members of the club’s board of directors have been told that they should not attend today’s match.”

Everton fans are furious after the clubs recent bad spell that sees them languish in 18th place in the Premier League.

The club have not won a league game since October, prompting fans to gather together to set up a protest at Park Stand after today’s game against bottom club Southampton.

Fans have been directing their displeasure at the clubs’ top brass, including the board of directors, owner Farhad Moshiri, and manager Frank Lampard.

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