'We don't know if Everton are at risk or if they're fine' - Finance expert struggles on TFG situation
Everton’s fans may be unhappy with The Friedkin Group’s (TFG) decision not to take action after a Uefa issue has emerged.
That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that David Moyes’s side could be demoted if they qualify for the same European competition as Roma this season.
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 owns both Everton and Roma after Dan Friedkin secured his takeover on Merseyside in December 2024.
Why Everton could be demoted from European competition
Roma are currently set to be in the Europa League next season as they sit fifth in the Serie A table.
Meanwhile, David Moyes’s side are eight in the Premier League as they chase down the sides above them for a European place.
However, Everton are at risk of being demoted after there has so far been no indication TFG has made any changes to its ownership structure at either club.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson discussed the Toffees’ situation after Uefa’s deadline has now passed.
“At the moment, we don't know what does work because we don't know what conversations have been had with UEFA,” said Borson.
“All we know for sure is that we've seen the letter that was sent in December to all the clubs, which basically said you must sort this out by 1 March.
"The thing that we don't know is what conversations were had with UEFA by those individual multi-club organisations and, therefore, who's at risk and who is fine.
“I suspect Everton in particular took a view that they weren't going to qualify for the Champions League and, therefore, didn't have to worry about a conflict with Roma because Roma would probably qualify for the Champions League if they qualify.”
Why Dan Friedkin could have made Everton decision
Borson revealed TFG may have decided to take the risk of Everton being demoted should they qualify for the same competition as Roma.
“Everton will probably qualify either for the Europa League or the Conference League if they qualify,” said Borson.
“I think maybe they also looked at it and thought, and Everton fans probably won't appreciate this, but it wouldn't surprise me if the owners looked at the situation and said, ‘Well, look, if both of the teams qualify for the Europa League, Everton will be effectively relegated to the Conference League, but that's not the end of the world’.
“It wouldn't surprise me if that's what they thought. That's what will happen if they're both still owned by The Friedkin Group on 1 March and they did qualify, and like I say they both fell into the Europa League.
“Everton would be the one that would fall into the Conference League, so I just wonder whether they took a view that either it wasn't going to happen and, therefore, they weren't going to have the issue, or they'd just accept that Everton would be in the lower competition.”
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.