Everton’s prospective owners, 777 Partners, continue to come in for criticism at two of their under-performing clubs.
The Miami-based firm, who are waiting to hear from the Premier League over whether or not they have passed the owners and directors test in order to complete their takeover of the Toffees, have been the target of ire from fans of Standard Liege following a succession of problems.
The Belgian club were almost barred from competing in that country’s top-flight campaign this season after failing to meet eligibility requirements and they were served with a transfer ban in December for failing to pay outstanding taxes, transfer fees and staff salaries.
And another of the football clubs in their stable, Brazilian club Vasco da Gama, were handed a transfer embargo by Fifa, again for failing to fulfil their obligations over unpaid transfer fees.
Pierre Locht, Standard’s Chief Executive, was about the club’s situation on the set of the Tribune and he said: “We must make our mea culpa. Our supporters are angry and they are right but, despite their revolt, they are not going to renounce their support.
“I said that I would not hang on to my position from the moment I felt that the situation was no longer beneficial to Standard.
“People have doubts about 777 and sometimes I have them too. But I am not here to be the lawyer of 777, I cannot endorse everything.
“The management is primarily responsible for the sporting situation with this poor ranking and this insufficient dynamic. We are working to make the club stronger”.
Meanwhile, fans of Vasco have launched protests against 777, releasing a statement on Twitter/X that reads as follows:
This manifesto is a protest against the North Americans who are playing at managing the SAF of @Vasco da Gama.
777 Partners arrived at Vasco, in the form of Mr. Josh Wander, promising to close the financial gap in relation to its rival and restore the club among the greatest sporting powers in Brazilian football. Something that is VERY far from happening. Where is Josh Wander now?
Time passes and so far what we see are unfulfilled promises, delays in the works and definitions of the CT, in addition to a harmful delay for Vasco in terms of signings that actually raise the level of competitiveness of the squad. The coach has already begged for reinforcements, the team captain too and now even the football director has spoken publicly, but the company disconnected from reality continues in its revolting inertia. To sell, they tend to be much faster.
It is important to highlight that we are in no way against the creation and development of SAF at Vasco and we know its importance for the club, but we also do not admit that the current neglect of reckless management continues to prevail before our eyes while we witness more shame inside and outside of field.
May the promises be fulfilled and that Vasco SAF professionals have the autonomy to hire players of the level and size of the Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama.