Everton owners have just days to take action as new Roma ‘problem’ emerges
Everton could be facing a problem if they qualify for the same European competition as Roma this season.
That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider The Friedkin Group (TFG) has just days to take action in preparation for that scenario taking place.
It comes after Uefa issued a circular in December warning clubs they must comply with its multi-club ownership rules by 1 March.
The governing body’s rules prohibit clubs controlled by the same owners or directors from competing in the same European competition.
TFG, which is spearheaded by Dan Friedkin, owns both Everton and Roma.
Why Everton could be facing Uefa issue
Roma are currently on course to finish in the Champions League this season as they sit fourth in the Seria A table.
Meanwhile, David Moyes’s side are ninth in the Premier League, but a strong run of form could see them secure a European place.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson discussed the possibility of TFG taking action to avoid falling foul of Uefa’s multi-club rules.
“They have no choice really,” said Borson.
“They have until 1 March to resolve those issues. The question is, what do they do, and how proactive are they? Are they prepared for a scenario where they have to effectively allow one of the teams to fall into a lower competition?
“The issue that they’ve got at the moment is that Roma are likely to be a team somewhere between Champions League and the Europa League. They’re unlikely to win the league, but they’re unlikely to fall below the Europa League. It’s not impossible that they do, but it’s generally unlikely.
“You’re looking at sort of right on that barrier between the Europa League and Champions League. Now, if they qualify for Champions League, that probably sorts the situation out because Everton are unlikely to qualify for the Champions League.
“The best that they could probably expect is a Europa League position just because of the competition, and that would then be fine. They wouldn’t be in the same competition. It wouldn’t be an issue.”
Why Everton could face Uefa demotion
Borson revealed Everton would likely drop down into the Conference League if they were to qualify for the Europa League alongside Roma this season.
“The problem is if let’s say you get close to the end of the season and both teams are give or take three points away from the Europa League and you go into the last couple of games,” said Borson.
“Remember, all of this has to be decided by 1 March, so you don’t really have the ability to wait and see. You’ve got to address it now or you’ve got to accept that if both teams qualify for the Europa League let’s say, or both teams qualified for the Conference League, one team may drop and it will then be on the priority.
“The likelihood is that because England are going to have the extra place in the Champions League and Italy are not, it is likely that the precedence is going to go to the Italian team because they will have finished higher up in their league.”
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.
To read more analysis around TFG’s ownership at Everton, head over to Goodison News.