Of the clubs owned by troubled 777 Partners, would be purchasers of Everton, Standard Liege are probably in the greatest difficulty. They haven't had the best of luck with owners, having once had to suffer Roland Duchatelet and his 'network' of European clubs.
This week, board member Jean-Michel Javaux confirmed he had
offered his resignation, saying he hoped it would provide an “electroshock”.
In a statement published on Facebook, Javaux spoke of the “critical
financial situation of the club” and criticised 777 for its lack of
communication in recent months, but added that he had been asked by Don
Dransfield, CEO of 777 Football Group, to stay on in an interim capacity and
help with “the transition”.
“For months, we have sounded the alarm over the lack of
information on the sporting project, the financial situation of the owners and
their lack of attendance at the stadium,” Javaux wrote.
“(Fellow board member) Pierre Locht, on multiple occasions,
has highlighted the critical financial situation and the need for cash. The
lack of response from the owners to the mid- and long-term demands was no
longer supportable. We are not accomplices of 777.”
Javaux also suggested that 777’s co-founders Josh Wander and
Steven Pasko had been removed from Standard’s board. In their absence,
Dransfield, a former chief strategy officer of City Football Group, is
leading the Miami group’s sporting strategy at Liege and elsewhere.
Supporters have been increasing the pressure on 777 to sell
the club after what is seen as another season of underachievement on the pitch.
The 10-time Belgian champions finished 10th in the Pro League regular season
and cannot qualify for UEFA competition via the division’s European play-offs.
Standard were forced to postpone their game against KVC
Westerlo last Friday night due to protests by fans against the owners,
with members of Ultras Inferno 1996 blockading players at the club’s training
ground before the match. Banners reading, “Standard on strike, f*** 777” and
“777 game over” were also placed around Standard’s Maurice Dufrasne stadium.
“Our beloved club is bankrupt in sporting terms and even
more so financially,” a statement from the group read. “These are the darkest
times in the club’s history. These bandits are being sued on all sides across
the Atlantic and our club’s survival is in danger.”
The situation remains extremely delicate, with reports in
Belgium suggesting 777 are looking to find a buyer for the embattled club.
This month, former owner Bruno Venanzi and the shareholders
of the company who own the club’s stadium alleged they had not received the
second instalment owed to them — over €3million (£2.6m; $3.3m) plus interest —
as part of 777’s acquisition in 2022. On Thursday, a Belgian court froze the
club’s accounts meaning that, while staff can be paid, no money can be
transferred from Standard to 777.
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