Everton chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale was reportedly 'put in a headlock' as she left the Goodison Park directors' box, club sources claim.
Another incident reportedly saw her car surrounded and spat at, while chairman Bill Kenwright is said to have received death threats.
The Liverpool Echo says this was part of the backdrop to the safety advice warning the pair, and the rest of the club board, not to attend the club's crucial match with Southampton on Saturday.
That advice was detailed in a statement released by the club just hours before the game, following which a peaceful protest against the running of the club was due to be held. Organisers had called for the demonstration to be respectful and immediately condemned any threats made towards club staff or directors.
A club spokesperson described the situation as a "profoundly sad day" for Everton after it was announced the board had been urged to stay away from the ground due to a “real and credible threat to their safety and security". Mr Kenwright, Prof Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance and strategy officer Grant Ingles and non-executive director Graeme Sharp have "reluctantly accepted the outcome of the safety assessment", it was added.
