Everton board of directors told not to attend today's match over security "threat"
Fans are planning a sit-in protest
Everton's board of directors will not attend their Premier League game against Southampton due to a "real and credible threat to their safety and security".
Fans are understood to be planning a protest at Goodison Park in the wake of last week's embarrassing 4-1 home defeat to Brighton.
The club said chairman Bill Kenwright, chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance and strategy officer Grant Ingles and non-executive director Graeme Sharp will "reluctantly" stay away on the advice of security advisors.
In a statement, Everton called the decision "unprecedented" and said it was "a profoundly sad day" for the club.
A club security & safety advisor said:
"The board members received the instruction following malicious and unacceptably threatening correspondence received by the club and increasing incidents of anti-social behaviour - including targeted physical aggression - at recent home matches.
A Club spokesperson added:
"This is an unprecedented decision for Everton Football Club - never before has our entire board of directors been ordered not to attend a match on safety grounds. It is a profoundly sad day for Everton and Evertonians."