Merseyside Police say Everton reported NO “threats or incidents” before Southampton’s defeat

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

The club’s board members, including chairman Bill Kenwright and non-executive director Graeme Sharp, stayed away from the game last weekend as Everton released a statement saying they were following the authorities’ advice amid the atmosphere around the Club around was getting sour.

It comes amid reports that CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale was put in a headlock with email threats against her and Kenwright at a recent home game.

Everton CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale was reportedly “physically abused” by a fan after the team’s defeat by Brighton.

However, Merseyside Police said on Monday that although they are “connected” to the club, no incidents have been reported to them.

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

“No threats or incidents were reported to the police before the game but we are in contact with the club to determine if any crime has taken place and to ensure any 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 of course be assessed and investigated and all appropriate security measures taken. We are also aware of videos showing fans approaching players’ cars as they drove away from Goodison after the game.

“No crimes have been reported at this time.”

The statement could spark further rifts between the club and fans as the recent defeat to fellow contenders Southampton only raises the temperature.

Board members stayed away from Goodison Park for the Southampton game over the advice given

Footage widely circulated after the game showed fans accosting players as they tried to leave the area around Goodison Park on Saturday night, while a sit-in continued after the game with thousands remaining long after the final whistle stayed.

NSNOW, a supporter group rumored to be working for a ‘better Everton’, thanked those who stayed behind on Saturday but directed criticism at those ‘responsible for Everton’s demise’. [the] Society’.

“Thank you for the flawlessly executed sit-in today,” they wrote on social media. “We will continue to support the team but the position of those responsible for the decline of our club who stayed away is totally untenable. Our protest will continue to grow until something changes.”

Now, the phrase AllTogetherNow is being used by supporters as a slogan for their campaign to remove the board.

The atmosphere has become increasingly feverish as fan loyalty to the current board has been completely extinguished

Everton themselves had released a statement ahead of Saturday’s game, explaining why board members would not be in attendance and citing “malicious and unacceptably threatening correspondence”. Cameras at the game showed a row of empty seats in the director’s box.

“The board members received the order following malicious and unacceptably threatening correspondence the club had received and increasing incidents of anti-social behavior – including targeted physical aggression – at recent home games,” the club wrote.

“This is an unprecedented decision for Everton Football Club – never before have our entire board been ordered not to attend a game for safety reasons. It’s a deeply sad day for Everton and Evertonians.’

Saturday’s defeat plunged the club further into crisis as Frank Lampard’s side have recorded just one win in their last ten Premier League games.

With only 15 points after 19 games, they are in 19th place in the table.

The former Chelsea man is currently bookies’ favorite to become the next top-flight manager to leave his post, despite owner Farhad Moshiri giving a controversial interview last week in which he said he would no longer back down from the to influence the opinion of the fans.

Frank Lampard’s side have seen a stunning drop in earnings before and after the World Cup break