Sam Matterface has made a significant claim about Farhad Moshiri’s ownership of Everton.
Nearly eight months have passed since the British-Iranian businessman agreed an exclusivity agreement with 777 Partners. Yet, Evertonians are no closer to finding out if their prospective new owners will be granted Premier League approval.
There were murmurings of positive news last week; however, little has been heard since then. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has even suggested that no progress has been made.
Talking on the latest Premier League All-Access Podcast, Matterface – ITV’s lead commentator – has boldly claimed what could happen next week.
Sam Matterface suggests Farhad Moshiri could lose control of Everton next week
Everton must pay MSP’s £158million loan back by mid-April, and Matterface has claimed Moshiri could lose control of the club if he fails to do so.
“Interestingly, the Everton question is quite a big one because financially, they’ve got a massive problem,” he said.
“They’ve got to repay a loan by the middle of next week, and if they don’t, there’s every chance that Farhad Moshiri will lose control of the football club.
“777 Partners haven’t completed a takeover, and they’ve been subject to a couple of court rulings in the United States of America where state governments have advised not to increase their exposure to 777 Partners.
He added: “The money has stopped flowing to them. I wonder whether or not that there remains the possibility of Everton going into administration.”
Do 777 Partners face competition in their bid to buy Everton?
777 aren’t the only group interested in buying Everton. According to The Times on Friday, 5 April, another US-based group are currently in the “shadows”.
They wrote: “Moshiri’s plan B — if there is one — is unclear. There is interest from another American group, which does not have a sporting background but is believed to be cash-rich, but they remain in the shadows.”
It’s hard to assess whether 777 are the right people to take the club forward. Their reputation doesn’t raise much hope. However, another investor showing interest could further complicate a Moshiri-shaped mess.
The sooner a resolution is found, the better.