Everton takeover: Keith Wyness rips into Farhad Moshiri after new development
Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has slammed current chairman Farhad Moshiri for his handling of the 777 Partners takeover – claiming he “has a lot to answer for”.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested Moshiri should “step in and stop” the buyout if there are doubts about 777’s funding.
The US-based investors agreed to buy Everton back in September, but have been waiting for Premier League approval for nearly six months.
Meanwhile, new fears over 777 Partners’ funding have surfaced – with a recent report claiming they owed a total of $3.6 billion to creditors in the summer of 2023.
Moshiri initially invested in Everton in 2016 and increased his shareholding to 94% in 2022.
Moshiri to step in and stop 777 Partners takeover?
Wyness insisted it is “a big problem” if the British-Iranian businessman believes 777 are “fit and proper owners”.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “There’s a complete vacuum of leadership at the top.
“The previous board have all resigned, or been let go. We’ve got an interim chief executive in place.
“It’s just a lack of leadership, and that’s because of the time this process has taken. It’s the big cloud hanging over Everton.
“A company like 777 is entitled to make an offer for the club, but the current owner Moshiri has a duty of due diligence to check them out. I think there should have been a lot more done by him.
“A lot has changed since the agreement was announced, and maybe he should step in and stop it.
“Overall, I’d say Moshiri has a lot to answer for – along with the Premier League.
“He’s built up a large amount of debt. As much as I have sympathy for the way the points deduction has been handled, I don’t have sympathy for the way he’s managed the club overall.
“It’s a big problem if he believes 777 are fit and proper owners.”
In other news, big update on Everton and potential Jack Harrison deal.
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