Everton writes that the decision for the board members to stay at home comes after the club received messages with unacceptable threats, and that there has recently been an increased number of incidents - including physical aggression - at home matches.
- After a careful risk assessment, together with threats the club has received and information we have collected, the club's board members have been told that they should not attend today's match, says a security advisor on the club's website.
"Extremely sad day"
A spokesperson for the club explains that this is the first time in the club's 145-year history that the club's board has been ordered to stay at home.
- It is an extremely sad day for Everton and Evertoners, he says.