Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Aheed Abrar

Fri 27 March 2026 17:34, UK

Everton believe they have found an alternative solution to pass UEFA’s multi-club ownership test.

The Friedkin Group have opted against putting the Toffees in a blind trust to avoid risking their place in a European competition if Roma qualify for the same, and finance expert Stefan Borson feels that could come back to bite them.

It looks like the American owners, who own majority stakes in the Blues and the Giallorossi, believe they have a structural solution to avoid getting sanctioned by UEFA.

David Moyes is thriving in the Premier League, and it’s entirely realistic that, by the end of the season, the Merseyside outfit and the Serie A giants may qualify for the Champions League or the Europa League.

Everton decision could backfire as Roma position assessed

As things stand, Roma are sixth in Serie A, three points behind fourth-place Como and it’s possible that they will qualify for a European competition.

The Toffees sit eighth in the Premier League after 31 matches and are three points off fifth-place Liverpool.

It will be interesting to see how the final stretch of the season unfolds for both sides, with the race for Europe intriguing in England and Italy.

Last summer, Crystal Palace were relegated to the Conference League after the Eagle Football Group were deemed to have influence at the South London outfit and Olympique Lyon.

There could be a scenario where the Merseysiders and Roma qualify for the Europa League, and TFG’s decision not to opt for a blind trust will surely be scrutinised.

Writing on X on 27 March, Borson said, “Insiders claim TFG did not set up a blind trust before 1 March 2026, instead relying on what they describe as an alternative ‘structural solution’. What that solution actually consists of has not been publicly disclosed, which in itself raises questions the clubs should be able to answer.

“Qualifying for European football on merit and then losing that place to a compliance failure by their own owners would represent a serious and entirely avoidable failing.”

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Moyes is starting to bring out the best in Everton at the most opportune time and there is a scenario in which they could pip fifth place and qualify for the Champions League.

If Roma end up doing the same and the Toffees aren’t allowed to participate in the competition, the Scottish manager will be fuming with TFG.

There’s a massive difference in a club’s ability to attract quality players with and without Champions League football.

Transfer targets that may seem realistic for the Blues to pursue may not be the same if they end up playing the Conference League next season.