Everton's board of directors have been told not to attend this afternoon's home match against Southampton due to a 'real and credible threat to their safety and security'.
The atmosphere at Goodison Park has turned toxic in recent weeks with the Toffees in the bottom three, and with supporters unhappy, owner Farhad Moshiri and co have been instructed to stay away.
It is understood that angry supporters have sent 'malicious, threatening messages' to the board, and there are concerns that things could turn ugly if any members are at the game, which sees Everton host bottom-of-the-table Southampton in a crucial relegation six-pointer.
After narrowly avoiding relegation last term, Everton find themselves facing another scrap for survival this time around.
Frank Lampard's men have only won three league games all season, and have not picked up a top-flight victory since October.
Their dire form has seen them drop into the relegation zone, but fans appear to be standing behind Lampard for now, and have turned their frustration towards the board instead.
Fans had been planning a sit-in protest to make their anger at the club's board known, but a protest group has now released a statement confirming that this idea has been shelved.
The statement read: 'We have decided to cancel today's sit-in protest, please just get behind Frank and the lads then head home at full time.'
More to follow...