Everton takeover news: Leeds United, Leicester City and Burnley write to 777 Partners amid legal threat
Recent Everton relegation rivals have now written to prospective new owners 777 Partners over their intention to sue for damages pending the outcome of the profit and sustainability hearing, according to The Guardian.
The paper reported via their website on 27 October that Leeds United, Leicester City and Burnley, who have all been relegated over the past two seasons after battling against the Toffees, have contacted the American company to “warn” of legal action.
Everton were referred to an independent commission over a single alleged breach of spending rules by the Premier League, whom it emerged during the hearing this month were seeking a 12-point deduction if the breach is proven.
That would vastly increase the chances that the club is relegated this season and Sean Dyche made clear that such off-field issues are creating a “siege mentality” for him among his squad.
According to The Guardian the three relegated sides – Burnley have since been promoted back to the top flight – plan to seek the compensation if the Toffees are sent down by a potential punishment.
No empty threat?
It has been reported multiple times over the past two years that relegation rivals were unhappy with the spending at Goodison Park and were considering legal action against the club.
So far nothing has materialised but it doesn’t appear to be going away and if contact has been made with 777 Partners it would seem that the other clubs do intend to follow through with it.
There is no guarantee that Everton will be found against by the independent commission, and if they are then a 12-point deduction isn’t necessarily set to be the result.
Appeals are also probable whichever way the hearing goes so it might be a matter that is kicked still further down the road.
777 are reportedly prepared for the possibility of a points deduction and will not be put off their plan to buy the club from Farhad Moshiri.
Whether yet another potential cost in the form of damages to other clubs has also been priced into their deal is less clear, but it looks like they will now be aware of the possibility so if they go ahead with the takeover must be ready to deal with that situation too.
In other Everton news, the FFP charge at Goodison Park has been tipped to mean “complete meltdown” at another club.