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More concerns about Everton buyers

More concerns have emerged over Everton’s prospective buyers, 777 Partners, after its Brazilian club Vasco da Gama was hit with a Fifa transfer ban for late payments.  Vasco da Gama missed payments to three clubs towards outstanding debts and according to the Brazilian media outlet Globo there has also been a delay in a payment 777 was due to make to the club this month.

A Fifa spokesman told The Times: “The club Vasco de Gama is currently prevented from registering new players due to an outstanding debt. The relevant ban will be lifted immediately upon the settlement of the debt being confirmed by the creditor concerned.”

777 partners recently met with Everton’s fan advisory board representatives over concerns about how the takeover will be funded

The Times reported last week that late payments from 777 put the British Basketball League (BBL), which it co-owns, at risk of “immediate administration”.

While 777 has been trying to get on the front foot, including meeting the Liverpool mayor, Steve Rotherham, observers have raised eyebrows about the cash-flow issues which have resulted in delays to payments as small as £825,000 in the case of the BBL.

The BBL’s issues will be looked at by an independent investigation, commissioned by the British Basketball Federation, which licenses the league.  The licence was granted on the basis of 777 owning 45 per cent of the BBL plus another 5 per cent through its ownership of the London Lions.

The investigation will also look into why Josh Wander, the founder of 777 Partners, is registered on Companies House as the person with significant control of the BBL with “ownership of shares — more than 50 per cent but less than 75 per cent”.

A spokeswoman for 777 said the Companies House record was down to a “clerical error” and that it has requested a correction.

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