Everton owner Farhad Moshiri Person of Interest to UK government agency in fresh takeover twist
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is reportedly a “Person of Interest” to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), a UK government agency.
The Guardian revealed on 31 May that this has emerged due to his links with Alisher Usmanov, who has been sanctioned by the government.
There’s also a scenario which could see Mohsiri losing total control of the club without receiving a single penny, despite his seeking additional investment.
The report reads, “The news of OFSI’s apparent interest in Moshiri’s finances has emerged as the football team narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League and while Moshiri is attempting to find investment to bankroll the club and complete its new stadium.
“It is understood that an investment offer on the table would result in Moshiri – who is estimated to have ploughed £750m into Everton – losing control of the club without being paid a penny, according to sources close to the negotiations.
“Any lack of payment to Moshiri could raise questions about whether Everton is being treated in a similar manner to Chelsea FC when it was acquired from the sanctioned oligarch Roman Abramovich last year. Abramovich was prevented by the UK government from benefiting financially from the sale of the London club.”
Huge?
This certainly has come as a surprise and it remains to be seen what the future now holds for Moshiri and Everton.
The fact that this is treated in the same way as Abramovich’s distress sale post the sanctions imposed due to his ties with the Russian government, raises plenty of questions.
It seemed like with Usmanov out of the picture, things were above the book, but this has opened a can of worms.
What the future holds for MSP Sports Capital’s investment in the club, remains to be seen, but this is yet another twist in a fabled financial tale at Goodison Park.
Hopefully, the consequences aren’t too dire for Everton as fans are currently in a celebratory mood after surviving in the Premier League.
Abdoulaye Doucoure’s gem of a goal against Bournemouth kept them up in the top flight at the peril of one-time Premier League winners Leicester City.