Merseyside Police say Everton DIDN’T report any ‘threats or incidents’ before Southampton defeat

Merseyside Police are in discussions with Everton after revealing they have not received reports of any threats to Directors ahead of their game with Southampton.

Bill Kenwright, Everton’s Chairman, Chief Executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Finance Director Grant Ingles and club legend Graeme Sharp were all advised to stay away from the fixture at Goodison Park, which ended in a 2-1 defeat that leaves in huge trouble.

There were allegations that Ms Barrett-Baxendale had been put in a headlock by a fan after the game at Goodison on January 3 against Brighton, while she and Kenwright have also received hateful correspondence on email.

Board members stayed away from Goodison Park for the fixture with Southampton after a report claimed their safety was at risk

A number of Everton’s players, in their cars, were chased on foot by youthful Evertonians on Saturday evening, footage of which has been circulated online. Merseyside Police have not opened proceedings on anything yet, however, and are talking to the club.

In a statement, they said: ‘No threats or incidents were reported to police prior to the game, but we are in communication with the club to establish if any offences have taken place, and to ensure that any future reports are received through existing channels.

‘Any threats reported to Merseyside Police would be assessed and investigated as a matter of course, and any appropriate safety measures implemented.

‘We are also aware of videos in circulation of fans approaching players’ cars as they made their way from Goodison Park after the match. At this stage no offences have been reported.’

Everton CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale was reportedly ‘physically manhandled’ by a fan after the team’s defeat against Brighton

Frank Lampard’s side have experienced an astonishing decline in results before and after the World Cup hiatus

The statement risks causing further fracture between the club and supporters, with the latest defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Southampton only ramping up the temperature. 

Footage widely circulated following the game showed supporters accosting players as they sought to leave the area surrounding Goodison Park on Saturday evening.

Defender Yerry Mina was confronted by a supporter after the game, while midfielder Anthony Gordon was chased down the street by another fan. 

A sit in also occurred after the game with thousands remaining long after the final whistle.

NSNOW, a supporter group that purports to campaign for a ‘better Everton’ thanked those who remained behind on Saturday but directly aimed criticism at those ‘responsible for the decline of [the] club’.

‘Thank you for today’s immaculately conducted sit in,’ they wrote on social media. ‘We will continue to support the team, but those responsible for the decline of our club, those that stayed away, their position is totally untenable. Our protest will continue to grow until change occurs.’

Meanwhile, the phrase AllTogetherNow is being used by supporters as the slogan for their campaign for the removal of the board. 

The atmosphere has become increasingly toxic at Goodison Park as supporters vent their fury at the club, who are battling relegation this season

Everton themselves had released a statement prior to Saturday’s game explaining why board members would not be in attendance, citing ‘malicious and unacceptably threatening correspondence’. Cameras at the game showed a number of empty seats in the directors box.

‘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 club wrote.

‘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.’

Saturday’s defeat plunged the club further into crisis, with Frank Lampard’s side having only recorded one win in their last ten Premier League games. 

They sit 19th in the table with just 15 points after 19 games.  

The former Chelsea man is currently the bookies’ favourite to be the next top flight manager to leave his post, though owner Farhad Moshiri gave a controversial interview last week in which he said he would no longer be swayed by supporter opinion.