Ex-Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has claimed 777 Partners could see their Toffees takeover bid collapse under scrutiny from the Premier League and Financial Conduct Authority.
777 Partners reportedly agreed a deal worth more than £500million to buy Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1% stake in Everton back in September.
The Toffees are still awaiting Premier League approval for that deal, a process which also involves the Financial Conduct Authority and Football Association.
But Football Insider revealed last week (22 November) that the Miami-based firm are preparing to re-enter negotiations over the price of the club’s takeover following the bombshell 10-point deduction.
An independent commission ruled that Everton were guilty of breaching the Premier League’s financial and sustainability regulations – opening them up to legal claims from clubs like Leeds United and Burnley.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness said: “It does seem that there are some pretty severe question marks about 777 Partners.
“It’s interesting that the regulatory process has been changed to include the Financial Conduct Authority.
“I think that is the area where 777 may have issues getting past those regulations.
“There’s a possibility they may not get the approval to complete the takeover.
“That would be a major issue.
“I think the issues, particularly in North America with their business model, do raise some serious questions that need to be answered fully.
“They may well be answered, and the takeover may well go through. But I do have my doubts at the moment.
“Those doubts come from how they’ve financed deals in the past, and the legal challenges they are facing in the US.
“Those are the key areas. I certainly have concerns about the strength of financing, the solidity of the financing – and how they have handled certain deals.
“Is there enough money to do the Everton deal? Can it be clearly shown where that money sits, and where it’s from?
“Those are the key issues the Premier League and the FCA will be looking at. They’ll want clear sight of the funds.
“I don’t know if 777 can do that. I hope they can.”
Key figures from 777 have been present at Everton games since the announcement of an agreement.
On the pitch, Sean Dyche’s side sit 19th in the table and five points from safety following the deduction.
