Everton’s board of directors have been warned to stay away from Goodison Park for their side’s clash with Southampton on Saturday afternoon amid a “real and credible threat to their safety and security”, the club have confirmed.
The Toffees have endured a run of rotten form. losing four of their last five games, and under Frank Lampard currently sit 18th and in the relegation zone. They play host to Southampton, one of two sides below them, in a relegation six-pointer, where defeat could see them drop to 19th should results go against them.
And the increasingly unpopular owners and directors have been warned not to attend amid threats to their safety, as the fans ire threatens to turn ugly in the weeks to come.
“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””, an official statement read.
“Chairman Bill Kenwright, CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Chief Finance & Strategy Officer Grant Ingles and Non-Executive Director Graeme Sharp have reluctantly accepted the outcome of the safety assessment carried out by security advisors”, they added.
A Club 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.”
