Takeover concerns could now reemerge at Everton as 777-owned club CEO speaks out
Takeover concerns may have emerged yet again at Goodison Park surrounding the possible 777 Partners takeover of Everton after Standard Liege CEO Pierre Locht spoke out.
Locht, who was the CEO before the arrival of 777 but continued in his role, has claimed that he cannot disagree with the supporter’s doubts and issues with the ownership.
As things stand at Everton, the takeover process is ongoing and the relevant checks are being made, but Premier League CEO Richard Masters hinted that the group hadn’t been able to answer all questions asked of them.
“Our supporters are angry and they are right but, despite their revolt, they are not going to renounce their support,” Locht told Belgian news outlet Walfoot [6 February].
“People have doubts about 777 and sometimes I have them too. But I am not here to be the lawyer of 777, I cannot endorse everything.”
Walfoot also shared that, with the supporters having been vocal in their frustrations for many months, Standard are still fighting to avoid a relegation playoff, despite initial pre-season aims of a top-six finish.
Everton have right to be concerned
The list of issues surrounding the potential takeover is seemingly endless at Goodison Park, but now an employee of the group directly speaking out about their leadership seems to be one of the biggest blows yet.
With problems piling up elsewhere, Everton fans would have a right to be concerned about how could be taking over their football club at a time of extreme uncertainty.
A report recently emerged in the Liverpool Echo that Farhad Moshiri has become more involved in the club again, having previously pulled his finances and backing as a result of the ongoing takeover as he was keen to get out.
He does, of course, still own the club until the buyers are given permission by the Premier League and relevant checks to complete their takeover, but a sudden return having dropped out of involvement is not a good sign.
As things stand, Everton have been loaned around £180million by the group, a sum which will likely be added to their ever-rising debt if the takeover does not go through.
The long line of issues surrounding the potential ownership of Josh Wander and 777 Partners continues to grow by the day, with more concerns arising around their suitability to own Everton Football Club, based on several controversies.
Separate concerns surrounding Wander and 777 Partners’ takeover include a late £900,000 payment to the British Basketball League [Daily Mail, 13 September], a no-contest plea to drug offences [Daily Mail], debt repayments owed as a result of loans to Farhad Moshiri [Daily Mail, 16 September].
In other Everton news, Tony Bellew has unleashed a rant at the Premier League live on air.
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