Everton face European expulsion due to Friedkin Group – Stefan Borson says ‘fans should be concerned’
Everton could lose their European place altogether if they qualify for the Conference League alongside Roma this season.
That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the Toffees’ owners should be able to provide more comfort around their plans should both clubs qualify for the same competition.
The Friedkin Group (TFG), which is spearheaded by Dan Friedkin, owns both Everton and Roma.
However, Uefa’s rules prohibit clubs controlled by the same owners or directors from competing in the same European competition.
Roma currently sit sixth in Serie A, while Everton are eighth in the Premier League, meaning the Italian side would take precedence if they both qualified for the Conference League.
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VISIT THE EVERTON MATCH HUBCould Everton owners have found Uefa solution?
The Times reported on 26 March Everton’s owners believe they have a “solution” to help them comply with Uefa’s rules should both clubs qualify for the same European competition.
However, it is unclear whether their plans will work after Crystal Palace were demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League last summer due to former co-owner John Textor’s shares in Lyon.
| Everton Fixtures |
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Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson discussed whether TFG could get around Uefa’s rules.
“It depends what a structural solution means,” said Borson.
“There’s no indication of what that means. I am sceptical, to be honest. I don’t really understand what that means in terms of a solution that has no filings whatsoever. There are no changes to any boards that we can see, no suggestion from Uefa as to the way to do it, no announcement from Everton as to what they’ve done, and no announcement from Roma as to what they’ve done.
“I’d be sceptical whether they’ve done anything meaningful. It could well be that they are working on the basis that the two teams will not qualify for the same competition, and if they don’t qualify for the same competition, then it doesn’t matter. The rules only kick in if they’re in the same competition.”
Why Everton owners are taking ‘risk’ over European qualification
Borson insisted he doesn’t understand why TFG or Uefa haven’t been more open about a potential workaround if there is one.
“The real risk is that something goes wrong between now and the end of the season, and both teams are in the Conference League positions,” said Borson.
“If that did happen, the likelihood is that Everton would be relegated out of all European competition and Roma would take their place. That’s the concern. That’s the concern that Everton fans should have.
“Everton should be able to give a bit more comfort if they do have a solution as to what the solution looks like. From Uefa’s perspective, I don’t really understand why Uefa would be shy about telling the world what solution does work in this scenario.
“But so far, they’ve not been particularly forthcoming with what that solution looks like, so we’ll just have to see who’s done what, if anything.”
Meanwhile, Everton are expected to breach Uefa’s financial rules if they qualify for Europe after releasing their latest accounts.
David Moyes’s side currently sit level on points with seventh-place Brentford, who they are set to face on Saturday (11 April).
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