Everton twist as Andros Townsend causes Farhad Moshiri money confusion
Former Everton winger Andros Townsend made a blunder live on the radio by suggesting Farhad Moshiri’s money being put into the club wasn’t actually his, leading to confusion among fans.
Townsend’s comments suggest that Moshiri’s investment in Everton was coming from elsewhere, perhaps from a separate investor or previously undisclosed partner.
Reports have since emerged via The Guardian [26 September] claiming Moshiri had received around £400million from companies owned by Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, who has since been sanctioned by the UK government.
Townsend was speaking live on BBC Radio 5 Live’s The Monday Night Club [25 September, 1:48:15], which was quickly shared by Youtuber PED7 on Twitter.
The former Everton man was joined by Chris Sutton, Mark Chapman and Rory Smith when Smith stated: “If they [Everton] can find an owner who has any real money, and Moshiri obviously can’t fund anything…” before he was cut off by Sutton saying: “But Moshiri had real money, Rory, and Moshiri spent a lot.”
That’s when Townsend chimed in with: “I don’t think it was Moshiri’s money. I think…” before Smith cut him off to protect him, saying: “This is a legal grey area, Andros, and we should stay away from it.”
Townsend’s comments sent fans into a state of confusion, as he couldn’t explain what he meant by “not Moshiri’s money”, and the recent article in The Guardian suggesting documents had disclosed the transfer of money from Usmanov, leading to plenty of speculation.
Smith’s speed and eagerness to cut him off, seemingly keen to avoid any legal trouble from the comments, could hint that the funding was not entirely above board, or that any information regarding it is legally disputable.
Some fans replied on Twitter claiming Moshiri’s separate investor is “the worst-kept secret in football”, with many previously aware of, or sensing, Usmanov’s further involvement than had been disclosed previously.
Everton fans will remember Moshiri, the 94.1% majority stakeholder of the club, and therefore the chief decision-maker, telling Sky Sports [via The Athletic, 21 January], the call to sack Frank Lampard was “not my decision”, with debate now raging on about who was really pulling the strings at Goodison Park.
This is something to keep an eye on.
In other Everton news, a Sky Sports pundit has claimed what the club must to do avoid relegation.