Everton in ‘the hands of a blind trust’ amid multi-club rules
Everton could face uncertainty if they do not comply with UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules by its deadline of March 1st.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, after UEFA issued a circular for clubs setting out a firm stance on the matter.
Crystal Palace were demoted from the Europa League to the Europa Conference League this season due to John Textor’s ownership in Lyon.
The Friedkin Group, who own Everton, also own Italian club Roma, who look on course to be in European competition next season.
UEFA ‘very clear’ on multi-club rules
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Everton could end up in “the hands of a blind trust” if they were to qualify for the same European competition as Roma.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness though thinks it is “very doubtful” that Everton and Roma will meet in Europe.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Yeah, this is a really interesting question just now about how this is going to be enforced this season. It’s UEFA’s stance against multi-club ownership situations.
“And they made it very clear from their judgments that clubs are going to have to resolve this. I think it’s by March the 1st, they’ve got to make clear if those two clubs end up playing in the same European competition.
“So what that would mean in theory for Everton, is that the ownership with the Friedkin group of either Roma or Everton would have to be put into the hands of a blind trust to run one of those clubs if they ended up in the same competition.
“Now, of course, we don’t know that on March the 1st where they’re going to end up. And I’ve got to say it’d be very doubtful. Roma are, I think, in the top four in the Serie A right now. Everton are not really pushing for the top four. So I don’t think they’d both be in the Champions League. I wish, but I don’t really see that happening.“
Could Everton qualify for Europe next season?
Everton are four points off the Champions League places, and two points off a Europa League spot in the Premier League table.
The January transfer window will be key for the Toffees if they are to break into the higher reaches of the league table.
Everton’s 2-0 defeat at Chelsea and an injury blow to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall means David Moyes may be looking to strengthen the squad.