February is one of the most important months in Everton’s history.
If that sounds dramatic, it shouldn’t. i understands verdicts on both the club’s appeal against a 10-point penalty and the long-running and complicated takeover saga are expected before the end of the month – and given the precariousness of both their financial and league position there are huge implications for both.
Throw into the mix two winnable fixtures – Monday’s visit of Crystal Palace feels potentially seismic given the form of the two relegation rivals – and it is no wonder anxiety is growing at Goodison Park. A season of so much turmoil faces a fork in the road over the next 16 days.
i has been told that, off the field at least, the “total focus” has been on the appeal that was heard at the start of February but the fog of uncertainty that has hung over Everton since the autumn should start to clear soon.
Whether supporters will approve of the picture that emerges is another matter.
When is the appeal verdict due?
Club sources have played down suggestions that the appeal commission’s verdict is imminent or will be announced this week, pitching the middle of next week as most likely for an announcement.
Either way i has been told a verdict – and what the club plan to do next – will be clear well before the end of the month.
This will have a knock on impact for the second charge the club are facing. If the club manage to convince the independent panel of their mitigation arguments it is expected to strengthen their case when an independent commission are convened to pick over the Premier League’s charge for their latest breach.
One source said it would be “season-defining” and a quick glance at the table, where Everton have sunk into 18th place, confirms that.
How did the appeal go?
Laurence Rabinowitz KC led Everton’s case, which focused on the regulatory process rather than presenting any new evidence. Voices in the legal establishment seem split on whether they think it will manage to chip away at the 10-point tariff imposed on the club.
The Toffees have always felt they have a strong case to reduce the punishment on appeal – but there shsould be realism about the difficulty of overturning a landmark judgement by the initial commission.
It is understood there is a measure of optimism within the club – and a belief the appeal “went as well as it could” – but there is also caution given the 10-point penalty that was handed down in November. It would be a huge result for Everton to win back some of the 10 points lost last year.
What next for the takeover?
On 16 January the Premier League’s CEO Richard Masters said that he hoped for an answers “within weeks”. i understands 777 Partners are expecting that “towards the back end of February” and that the matter is now entirely in the Premier League’s hands.
It has been a controversial process with a steady flow of questions emerging about the group, including the source of their funding and ability to run and invest in a club that has heavy debts.
The prospective owners remain bullish in the face of the uncertainty. Indeed i has been told that 777 Partners remain “confident” that the Premier League will pass the takeover – something reflected by continuing to loan money to the club while the process continues.
After another loan was provided in January to help with the club’s cash flow and stadium financing, the amount owed to 777 Partners by the club is nearly £190m. That is, sources close to the situation insist, proof of the group’s confidence that they can complete the deal – because it is classified as “‘”junior debt” – and if the takeover is not approved they will be behind other creditors such as Rights and Media Funding and MSP Sports Capital in the queue of debtors. If it is passed, the debt will be converted into equity in the club.
As it stands 777’s stance is that everything that the Premier League required has been provided to them – and all follow-up questions have been answered. Dialogue channels remain open but it is “all in the hands” of the league and their lawyers now.
It has been suggested that rival groups are waiting in the wings if 777 Partners’ takeover collapses but that feels like a high stakes game given the amount of debt accruing while the process is ongoing.
What can they do on the pitch?
The return of Abdoulaye Doucoure – Everton’s top scorer with six goals and a crucial midfield presence – cannot come soon enough. He has played just once in their last 11 games after sustaining an injury in the mid-December win against Burnley, the club’s last win.
He will return for Monday’s Crystal Palace clash and should be joined in the engine room by Amadou Onana, who returned for a brief cameo at Manchester City. Having them back should provide some steel and attacking threat for a team that are struggling to turn pressure into goals. They have just two goals from their last five games – easily the lowest of any team in the top flight.
Form may have flatlined but performances haven’t actually been that bad. Creditable points against Spurs and Aston Villa, alongside a battling draw against Fulham, illustrated graft.
Now they need some craft for a trio of games against Palace, Brighton and out-of-form West Ham.
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