Sport nationJohn Textor’s reported interest in purchasing Everton FC has hit a significant roadblock, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire. Speaking on The Price of Football podcast, Maguire explained that Textor’s existing 45% stake in fellow Premier League club Crystal Palace means he cannot attempt to purchase more than a 10% share in the Toffees due to Premier League rules on multi-club ownership.
This means that Textor would need to sell his shares in Crystal Palace before he can even consider purchasing a significant stake in Everton. Maguire described this as a “Steve Parish-shaped blockage” in Textor’s ambitions, referring to the Crystal Palace chairman who would need to agree to any sale of Textor’s shares.
Maguire said: “You cannot have more than 10% ownership of two clubs in the Premier League. There’s a Steve Parish-shaped blockage in (Textor’s) ambitions, and therefore he’s looking at an alternative route. Does he have the money? Yes, but he needs to sell before he can buy in order to satisfy Premier League rules anyway.”
This development comes as Everton FC faces a summer of uncertainty, with current owner Farhad Moshiri seeking new investors after 31 May. The club has been in talks with 777 Partners for several months, but those talks appear to be coming to an end without a resolution. Textor has emerged as a potential alternative buyer, but his existing stake in Crystal Palace complicates matters.
Under Premier League rules, an individual or group cannot have more than 10% ownership of two clubs in the top flight. This is designed to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that each club is operated independently. As a result, Textor would need to divest himself of his Crystal Palace shares before he can purchase a significant stake in Everton.
While this looks unlikely, Textor’s interest in Everton is seen as a positive development by many fans, who are eager for new investment and leadership at the club. Everton has struggled in recent years, both on and off the pitch, and many believe that new ownership is necessary to restore the club to its former glory.
In other Everton news, the club is expected to lose one of its star players this summer, with reports emerging of a potential new arrival to replace them. This transfer activity will be closely watched by fans, who are eager for any news of new signings and departures.
Overall, the situation with John Textor’s potential takeover of Everton is complex and uncertain. While he has the financial resources to purchase the club, his existing stake in Crystal Palace means that he faces significant hurdles in completing a deal. Everton fans will be watching developments closely, hoping for a resolution that brings new investment and success to the club.
It’s worth noting that the Premier League’s rules on multi-club ownership are in place to protect the integrity of the competition and ensure that each club is operated independently. This means that any potential buyer of Everton will need to demonstrate that they have the resources and expertise to operate the club successfully, without any conflicts of interest or undue influence from other clubs.
In the meantime, Everton fans will continue to speculate about the future of their club, and who might be the next owner to take the reins. With the summer transfer window opening soon, there will be plenty of activity at Goodison Park, and fans will be eager to see what the future holds for their beloved club.
The situation with John Textor and Everton is a reminder of the complexities of football finance and the rules that govern the sport. While it may seem straightforward to purchase a football club, there are many factors to consider, from financial resources to conflicts of interest. In the end, the most important thing is the success of the club and the happiness of its fans.
Everton FC has a rich history and a loyal fan base, and whoever takes over the club will need to demonstrate a commitment to its values and traditions. Whether it’s John Textor or another buyer, the next owner of Everton will have a significant responsibility to the fans and the community, and will need to work hard to restore the club to its former glory.
In the meantime, fans will continue to watch developments closely, hoping for a resolution that brings new investment and success to the club. With the summer transfer window opening soon, there will be plenty of activity at Goodison Park, and fans will be eager to see what the future holds for their beloved club.
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