Merseyside police have said they did not receive reports of the threats that kept Everton’s board of directors away from Goodison Park on Saturday.
The chairman, Bill Kenwright, chief executive, Denise Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance officer, Grant Ingles, and non-executive director Graeme Sharp were instructed by Everton’s security advisers not to attend the 2-1 defeat by Southampton because of what the club described as “a real and credible threat to their safety and security”.
Police have confirmed they are liaising with Everton over the alleged threats and that none were reported before the club announced that the directors would not be in attendance on Saturday. A few thousand Everton fans staged a sit-in demonstration against the board after the game.
A police statement read: “We can confirm that Merseyside police is liaising with Everton Football Club following alleged threats towards directors ahead of the Premier League fixture against Southampton on Saturday 14 January.
“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 have said they are reviewing all matchday and non-matchday security arrangements following the Southampton game and that “enhanced security procedures are being put in place” due to incidents on Saturday and at previous matches. Their next home fixture, against Arsenal on 4 February, has been categorised as high risk.
Everton, meanwhile, are interested in a loan deal for Rennes’ winger Kamaldeen Sulemana. The Ghana international, 20, is also a target for Bournemouth.
