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

Merseyside Police have revealed that they were not made aware of any “threats or incidents” involving Everton ahead of the club’s game against Southampton on Saturday.

Members of the club’s board, including chairman Bill Kenwright and non-executive director Graeme Sharp, stayed away from the game last weekend and Everton issued a statement saying they were following advice issued by the authorities with the atmosphere that surrounds the club. more and more sour.

It came as reports emerged alleging that CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale was put in a headlock at a recent home game and threats towards her and Kenwright were also reported via email.

Everton chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale was reportedly “physically abused” by a fan after the team’s loss against Brighton.

However, Merseyside Police said on Monday that they have not been informed of any incidents, although they are ‘liaising’ with the club.

Their statement read: “We can confirm that Merseyside Police are in contact with Everton Football Club following alleged threats towards managers ahead of the Premier League match against Southampton on Saturday 14 January.”

“No threats or incidents were reported to the police before the game, but we are in communication with the club to establish whether any offenses have been committed and to ensure that future reports are received through existing channels,” he continued.

Although Merseyside Police said they had received no reports of “threats or incidents” from the club.

“Any threats reported to Merseyside Police would be routinely assessed and investigated, and appropriate security measures put in place.

“We are also aware of videos circulating of fans approaching players’ cars as they drove from Goodison after the game.

“At this stage no offenses have been reported.”

The statement risks causing further fracture between club and supporters, with the latest defeat at the hands of fellow Southampton fighting only to turn up the heat.

Board members stayed away from Goodison Park for the Southampton match due to advice given

Footage that circulated widely after the game showed supporters accosting players as they tried to leave the area surrounding Goodison Park on Saturday night, while a post-game sit-in also took place with thousands of people remaining long after the game. final whistle.

NSNOW, a supporter group that aims to campaign for a ‘better Everton’, thanked those who were left behind on Saturday but directly criticized those ‘responsible for the decline of [the] club’.

“Thank you for today’s impeccably 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 who 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 their campaign slogan to oust the junta.

The atmosphere has become increasingly feverish and the loyalty of supporters to the current junta has been completely extinguished.

Everton themselves had issued a statement before Saturday’s game explaining why board members would not attend, citing “malicious and unacceptably threatening correspondence”. In-game cameras showed several empty seats in the directors’ box.

“Board members received the instruction following malicious and unacceptably threatening correspondence received by the club and increased incidents of anti-social behaviour, including targeted physical assault, in 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 for security reasons. It is a deeply sad day for Everton and the Evertonians.

Saturday’s defeat further plunged the club into crisis as Frank Lampard’s side recorded just 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 bookmakers’ favorite to be the next top-flight manager to step down, although owner Farhad Moshiri gave a controversial interview last week in which he said he would no longer be swayed. by the opinion of the followers.

Frank Lampard’s team have experienced a staggering drop in results before and after the World Cup break.