The very last quote from a 'clubs spokesman' really drills home the purpose of that statement.
They could have just not attended and left it.
Now, if they wanted to release a statement, they could have simply put. We're not attending due to safety concerns. Pretty grim, but nowhere near as bad as.
''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.”
Division and a stab at the fans to the national media, plain and simple. Disgrace.