Kieran Maguire issues Usmanov-Everton investment claim after emergency meeting
Recent developments mean there is very little chance that Alisher Usmanov will formalise his investment in Everton.
So says finance expert Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the sponsorship debate raging on within the Premier League.
Everton were among the 18 clubs who voted for a temporary block on related-party sponsor deals in the top-flight, as per BBC Sport on 19 October.
The ruling, which was made at an emergency meeting and could soon be made permanent, was made in response to Newcastle’s Saudi-led takeover.
Alisher Usmanov has strong ties with Everton owner Farhad Moshiri, his associate and long-standing business partner.
Usmanov’s holding company USM sponsors the Toffees’ Finch Farm training complex and has first refusal on a naming rights deal at their new stadium.
He is also co-owner of MegaFon, the Russian mobile phone network that sponsors Everton Women.
However, there are requisite degrees of separation between Usmanov and Moshiri that the sponsorship deals do not violate FFP regulations.
But Maguire argues that the new sponsorship legislation disqualifies Umsanov from buying equity in Everton.
“There is the connection there through the various sponsorship arrangements,” he told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams
“But there are now no benefits in Alisher Usmanov taking an equity stake in Everton.
“He seems to be a very benevolent former employer and business associate of the present owner Farhad Moshiri.
“It would certainly be good if all of our previous employers were as charitable as he is.”
In other news, Everton in pole position beat West Ham and Newcastle United to Jesse Lingard.