Everton chief executive Dennis Barrett-Baxendale was headlocked by a fan after a recent home game.
Everton’s board will not be involved in Saturday’s game against Southampton due to threats to safety.
According to an Everton source who asked not to be named, the decision comes after Barrett-Baxendale was also subject to sexually offensive comments and emails saying they wanted her and her son to have cancer out. Her car was also surrounded after a recent game, with fans banging on the side.
Chairman Billken Wright was also told by email that he would not leave Liverpool alive.
Glass was also thrown over the crash barrier at Goodison Park after the game.
It was Everton’s entire board of directors, who will watch the match remotely together, and for the first time in the club’s history have been told not to play.
A statement from Everton read: “Chairman Bill Kenwright, chief executive Dennis Barrett-Baxendale, chief financial and strategy officer Grant Ingalls and non-executive director Graeme • Sharp reluctantly accepts the results of a security assessment conducted by security consultants.
“Board members were instructed following malicious and unacceptably threatening letters received by the club and an increasing number of recent incidents of anti-social behavior – including targeted physical assault – during home games.”
An Everton security and safety adviser said: “Following a thorough risk assessment, and in response to tangible threats received by the club and intelligence gathered by us, members of the club’s board have been advised that they will not be allowed to participate in today’s match.”
A club spokesman added: “This is an unprecedented decision for Everton Football Club – our entire board has never before been ordered not to play on safety grounds. For Everton and Evertonians , it’s a very sad day.”
Due to Everton’s situation, fans are planning a post-match sit-in. They are 18th in the Premier League and haven’t won an official game since October 22.
The group behind the protest condemned the abuse directed at the board, writing: “Everyone involved in our campaign, and indeed every reasonable Evertonian, completely and utterly condemns the abuse directed at any Everton employee and/or Any threats from club officials and directors.”
Footage on social media showed fireworks going off outside the Southampton Hotel in the early hours of Saturday morning.
(Photo: Getty Images)
