Genoa owners 777 Partners abandon Everton takeover bid

GENOA, ITALY - MARCH 9: Fans of Genoa wave their flags and scarves prior to kick-off in the Serie A TIM match between Genoa CFC and AC Monza at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on March 9, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. Genoa are owned by prospective Everton owners, 777 Partners. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Genoa owners 777 Partners will not be purchasing troubled Premier League side Everton after months of talks and funding already handed over.

The American-based fund had already kept the Toffees afloat in recent months, having agreed to buy the 94% of shares from majority owner Farhad Moshiri back in September 2023.

That came with a deadline of this morning to complete the share purchase agreement, but that passed without a resolution to the chaotic situation.

Everton released a statement confirming they will “continue to operate as usual” and “assess all options for future ownership.”

The club was docked eight points for two breaches of the Profit and Sustainability Rules and 777 Partners had provided a £200m loan to keep them going, but 777 also failed to meet the Premier League’s required conditions of ownership.

777 Partners face further protests

On top of this, 777 Partners are also facing protests from another of the clubs in their portfolio, Standard Liege.

The Belgian fans forced a game to be postponed by blocking the team bus at the training centre, protesting that they have been placed under a temporary transfer embargo due to financial issues.

Along with Genoa, other clubs owned by 777 Partners include Hertha Berlin in Germany and Brazil’s Vasco da Gama.