Everton have had so many ongoing narratives driving through this campaign.
However, ever since November, that has naturally been dominated by their ten-point deduction.
It was the harshest points penalty in top-flight history, and one which sent a resurgent Toffees outfit down to 19th in the Premier League table.
Many clubs could have folded under the pressure of such a ruling but not Everton. Not under Sean Dyche.
Their comeback was mesmeric and instant, and with four points having also now returned, they are in a good place to achieve comfortable safety now this season.
However, with this dominating the headlines, it might be easy to forget that a takeover is ongoing too.
How 777 Partners feel about Everton’s successful appeal
777 Partners are an outfit which seems to court controversy wherever they go, and so they are understandably not Evertonians’ first choice to assume control from Farhad Moshiri.
No matter how poor the Iranian has been as the club’s custodian, there was hope that he might have shown a little compassion and intelligence in his last stand, selling the club.
But, seemingly just willing to get out any way he can, the Miami-based firm now awaits Premier League approval to ratify the deal.
Now, courtesy of a report via iNews, their feelings towards this latest appeal success have been revealed. Mark Douglas writes: ‘777 Partners were informed of the appeal commission’s decision at the same time as Everton as they continue to take a keen watching brief on the club. Sources told i they are “desperate to get to work” at Goodison Park.
‘i understands that they remain fully committed to the buyout despite the club’s ongoing PSR woes – and that won’t be shaken, whatever happens with the second charge.’
Farhad Moshiri must hold out for better
The unrelenting scrutiny that 777 Partners continue to face is impossible to ignore.
Journalists such as Philippe Auclair and Paul Brown have worked wonders in uncovering the gritty truth of this organisation, which has failed to pay wages at some clubs, seen its credit rating recently downgraded amongst numerous other scandals.
They are hardly best placed to own another football club, let alone one as huge and unsettled as Everton.
What the Toffees need is a stable financial powerhouse willing to bankroll the club, or at the very least expunge them of their debt.
They have a shiny new stadium to look forward to, and hopefully a brighter future under Dyche’s leadership.
A silent owner with no prior controversies with a solid financial backing would be far more preferred than the tumultuous 777 Partners. And with one alternative suitor reportedly present, perhaps Moshiri could hold out for the sake of every Evertonian.
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