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Everton Initiates Security Review Amid Safety Concerns
Everton Football Club is currently reassessing all security measures in the wake of safety threats that led to the board of directors missing Saturday's match against Southampton.
Due to "threatening correspondence," the board chose not to attend the fixture. In collaboration with the police, Everton categorized the game as "high risk," a designation also applied to their upcoming home match against Arsenal on February 4.
The decision to implement "enhanced security procedures" follows recent incidents during the Southampton fixture and other games. Everton emphasized that the determination was based on intelligence gathered and information directly received by the club.
Everton stated, "The health, safety, and security of our supporters, staff, and players is and will always remain our top priority."
The club acknowledged a rise in incidents of anti-social behavior, including targeted physical aggression, at recent home games. Sources reported an unfortunate incident involving Chief Executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, who was allegedly manhandled by a male fan after a 4-1 home defeat by Brighton earlier in January.
On Monday, Merseyside Police clarified that no threats or incidents were reported before Saturday's game. However, they acknowledged videos on social media depicting fans approaching players' cars after the 2-1 defeat at Goodison Park.
Currently placed 19th in the Premier League and without a win in nine matches across all competitions, Everton has faced challenges both on and off the pitch. This month, the Everton Fans' Forum (EFF) penned an open letter to owner Farhad Moshiri, advocating for "sweeping changes at chair, board, and executive levels."
The EFF, in response to the security concerns, unequivocally condemned any threats directed at Everton staff or directors.