Everton Football Club Takeover in Jeopardy as 777 Partners Hire Finance Restructuring Experts

Prospective buyers of Everton, 777 Partners have hired finance restructuring experts, causing growing doubts about their ability to finalize the takeover of the Premier League club. The Miami-based investment company had agreed to acquire a majority stake in the club from Farhad Moshiri last September, but recent allegations of fraud and unrelated financial difficulties have intensified concerns about the firm's capacity to see the deal through.

Moshiri has been in discussions with 777 Partners this week to gain clarification about their situation, particularly whether they have the funds to repay a £158m loan owed to MSP Sports Capital. A recently seen BBC Sport internal memo suggests that 777 Partners have now sought help from a Los Angeles-based firm, B Riley Financial for managing "various operational challenges".

Last Friday, 777 Partners and their co-owner Josh Wander were implicated in a "fraudulent scheme" by a lender in a civil court filing in New York. Additionally, an airline owned by 777 went into voluntary administration earlier in the week, stranding thousands of passengers in Australia.

On the football front, players of Standard Liege, another club owned by 777, have reportedly not been paid for April, causing the postponement of a Belgian league game after disgruntled fans blocked the team bus from entering the stadium.

With the growing uncertainty surrounding the club's takeover, Everton manager Sean Dyche has expressed that future planning is challenging, while Director of Football Kevin Thelwell indicated some players would be sold this summer. He urged fans for "patience and understanding" as they work to improve the club’s finances. The Everton Shareholders' Association (EFCSA), however, has labeled the drawn-out takeover process a "farce" and urged Moshiri to abandon the deal.