Everton chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale was put in a headlock during a horrifying ordeal outside the Goodison Park directors' box, according to reports.
The Liverpool Echo claims a separate incident saw Barrett-Baxendale's car surrounded by fans and spat at, while Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright is said to have received death threats. The Everton CEO is understood to have been targeted after Everton were beaten 4-1 at home by Brighton in the Premier League at the start of January.
Following the thrashing by the Seagulls, a crowd barrier was thrown into a glass door. The abhorrent behaviour of sections of the fanbase prompted Everton to instruct their board of directors to stay away from Saturday's top-flight fixture against Southampton.
Toffees supporters are highly disgruntled after a dismal start to the season under Frank Lampard, which leaves the club facing the prospect of a relegation battle for the second season in a row. A sit-in protest had been planned for after the Saints clash in order to protest against the way the club are being run.
Organisers called for the demonstration to be respectful and condemned threats made towards club staff and directors. However, a detailed risk assessment led to the Everton hierarchy being ordered not to attend the fixture.
A statement released on the club's website on Saturday read: "Everton's Board of Directors have been instructed not to attend today's Premier League fixture against Southampton because of a 'real and credible threat to their safety and security'.
"Chairman Bill Kenwright, CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Chief Finance & Strategy Officer Grant Ingles and Non-Executive Director Graeme Sharp have reluctantly accepted the outcome of the safety assessment carried out by security advisors.
"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."
In response to the statement, those who organised Saturday's sit-in protest took to Twitter to write: "Everyone involved in our campaign and indeed every reasonable Evertonian utterly and completely condemn any threats to any Everton employee and/or officials and directors of the club."
Everton's Fan Advisory Board had organised online and in-person talks with the board in order to voice their concerns about how the club is being run. However, a face-to-face meeting scheduled for Sunday was cancelled on Friday.
The Toffees board said: "Unfortunately, we've had to cancel Sunday’s face to face meeting for security and safety reasons. We'll be in touch with all who have pre-registered to ensure they still have the opportunity to share their views."
Saturday's statement explaining that the board of directors were prevented from attending Goodison Park marked a fresh low point for the club. A security and safety advisor said: "Following a thorough risk assessment, and in response to tangible threats received by the Club and intelligence we have gathered, the Club’s Board members have been told they must not attend today's fixture."
An Everton 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."
