Everton told to ‘act’ amid UEFA’s ‘clear stance’ on multi-club rules
Everton should insure themselves against multi-club rules by making certain they meet UEFA’s requirements to avoid suffering the same fate as Crystal Palace.
That is according to football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley who has exclusively told Football Insider his views on UEFA setting out a deadline of March 1st to comply with multi-club rules.
The Friedkin Group own both Everton and Roma, and Crystal Palace were demoted from the Europa League to the Europa Conference League this season due to John Textor’s involvement in Lyon.
Everton have been told they could face future uncertainty concerning their involvement in European competition if they do not act.
Everton ‘better to act’ as ‘upside is far greater’
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley believes Everton need to act to prepare for the possibility of qualifying for European football in the future.
“I think, yes, ultimately, you know, prudently, I’d be suggesting that any club now with connections into multi-club ownership network, you are better to act and cover it off even if you think that qualifying for Europe is low on the probability scale,” Plumley said.
“We saw Palace last year, didn’t we? It’s going to be the go-to example. You know, they didn’t think they were going to get into Europe, but they won the FA Cup. You just never know.
“And what you don’t want to do, and UEFA have now been pretty clear on this, is that they will take a hard stance on it. What you don’t want to do as a club is to shoot yourself in the foot further down the line. It will be a bit of a paperwork exercise.
“It will take a bit of time and resource, and cause a bit of a headache in terms of how you’ve got to do it. But the upside is far greater than not doing it.
“So, yeah, I think for Everton in that regard, I would be looking at it for sure. And I’m sure there’ll be lots of other clubs that are in the same boat because, as I’ve seen, UEFA, obviously, make their stance really clear on it.“
Evan Ferguson developments as January window nears
Everton and Roma may be talking about striker Evan Ferguson, with the 21-year-old likely to leave the Italian club in January.
Ferguson joined Roma on a season-long loan in the summer transfer window, but his deal may be terminated early due to a lack of form.
Manager David Moyes has previously targeted Ferguson, who was seen as one of the brightest young talents at Brighton.