Due to a “real and credible threat to their safety and security,” Everton’s board of directors were advised not to attend Saturday’s home league game against Southampton, the club announced in a statement.
The decision was reluctantly accepted after Everton received “malicious and unacceptably threatening correspondence” and experienced “targeted physical aggression” at recent home matches, making it necessary to take unprecedented safety precautions, according to a club spokesperson.
“This is an unprecedented decision,” the spokesperson emphasized. “Never before has our entire Board of Directors been ordered not to attend a match on safety grounds. It is a profoundly sad day for Everton and Evertonians.”
The board members affected include chairman Bill Kenwright, chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance & strategy officer Grant Ingles, and non-executive director Graeme Sharp.
“After conducting a thorough risk assessment and in response to specific threats received by the Club, along with intelligence gathered, the Club’s Board members have been instructed not to attend today’s fixture,” stated a security and safety advisor, as reported in the statement.
In sporting terms, Everton finds themselves in the relegation zone this season, having struggled with a poor performance record under manager Frank Lampard, with losses in 10 out of 19 matches, including their recent defeat at home against Southampton.
Earlier in the week, Everton suffered a noteworthy 4-1 defeat to Brighton, extending their winless streak to nine matches. Despite this, owner Farhad Moshiri publicly affirmed his support for Lampard.
Responding to concerns voiced in an open letter from the Everton Fans’ Forum regarding the club’s direction, Moshiri expressed confidence in the efforts of the manager, Director of Football, and the board of directors.
“I have faith in the work being done not only by our manager, but our Director of Football and our board of directors,” Moshiri assured.
“That faith is based on my knowledge of the depth and quality of work being done both at Finch Farm [Everton’s training complex] and the Royal Liver Building [Everton’s administrative HQ], and of the plan that is in place.
I am confident that we have skilled, experienced and focused professionals at all levels of the club. We are all agreed that our current league position must and will improve.”