Everton board told to stay away from Goodison Park due to 'real and credible threat to safety'
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Published 14/01/2023 at 13:18 GMT
Everton have announced that their board of directors won't attend Saturday's home game against Southampton because of a threat to their safety. A Toffees statement said that the instruction came after 'malicious and unacceptably threatening correspondence received by the club'. Everton are on a six-match winless league run and are in the relegation zone ahead of the game against Saints.
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Members of Everton’s board of directors have been told not to attend Saturday’s Premier League clash with Southampton at Goodison Park because of a ‘real and credible threat’ to their safety.
Everton published a statement saying ‘malicious and unacceptably threatening’ messages sent to the club hierarchy, combined with ‘increasing anti-social behaviour including physical aggression’, led to the decision.
The Toffees have dropped into the Premier League relegation zone after a six-match winless run and fan groups have reportedly planned protests for Saturday’s home game against rock-bottom Saints.
The club statement read: “Everton’s board of directors have been instructed not to attend today’s Premier League fixture against Southampton because of a ‘real and credible threat to their safety and security’.”
A safety assessment was made by security advisors and chairman Bill Kenwright, CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance & strategy officer Grant Ingles and non-executive director Graeme Sharp “reluctantly accepted” the recommendation not to attend.
“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,” the statement said.
A security and safety advisor said: “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.”
An Everton spokesperson added: “This is an unprecedented decision for Everton Football Club – 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.”
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