Report: Moshiri decides against selling Everton

However, that happened before sanctions so should be of no interest to the government now, unless they are concluding it wasn't really a gift and Moshiri owes Usmanov back from his interests in Everton.

If that is true, and could be shown to be so, we are screwed.

Well done, Bill, I hope you're pleased with yourself… you gold-plated welt.

Can someone explain the difference?

There's talk of the 'fit and proper' test actually weeding out crooks.

A very good question but I think no profit was passed on to Abramovich. I suspect Usmanov might be asking a more difficult question of Moshiri.

We've had two (or is it three?) Prime Ministers since Chelsea were sold and this current one seems to want to do something about football and its ownership 'tests'. Just so "Everton that", isn't it?

Having said that, it's unsurprising if Moshiri waits to sell and probably will do so on completion of the new stadium.

Exactly, it's all bollox. He will sell if the price is right.

What he needs to do is fuck Kenwright off.

Relegation would probably see its market value halved.

The potential story here is that Usmanov, the oligarch, is seen as the owner in all but name, with Moshiri as the front man. I'm guessing this story will run till it reaches its legal conclusion.

If Moshiri has British citizenship, then the Specially Designated National process is not applicable to his case. Could get weird.

I doubt many Clubs worldwide owned by billionaires would pass those tests.

Wherever there's money, there's usually corruption and dirty dealing somewhere along the way.

Moshiri is not Russian, he holds British citizenship, he is one or two steps down the feeding ladder from any possible position of influence. He may be personal friends of Usmanov and gained his wealth through that friendship, and even sought help and advise through that friendship, but it would be a significant step for the UK government to go after those who have no influence over Putin and therefore would not in any way be thus justified.

If they did, then every second-tier businessman who dealt with or knew a sanctioned oligarch would be at risk. That's half of the financial sector of London and most of the key real estate holdings there as well.

If Moshiri got done, there would be panic within every business acquaintance who profited in London. But this is Everton — ever prone to be made an example of...

Back on board the Ship of Fools everyone, we are ready to cast off!

I think he will still sell, or sell an initial stake, if he can get closer to what he wants. Possibly everything is on hold anyway, contingent on our Premier League status.

Surely all different to our position. Everything is in Moshiri's name and he's not Russian. The government and EU can't touch him under current sanctions although Usmanov might be pissed off that he's handed all that money over to Bernard Bresslaw.

There is no doubt that Alisher Usmanov was the driving force in Moshiri becoming Everton's majority shareholder. He gifted the Arsenal shares that Moshiri owned, and then sold those shares to become the major shareholder at Everton.

Also what's indisputable is that both Ancelotti and Benitez both have talked about talking to Usmanov prior to becoming the manager at Everton. Now I can't ever remember a sponsor interviewing prospective managers.

He poured in tens of millions via the Finch Farm training ground, and he put £30 million into the club just to be able to be first in the queue for the naming rights of the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

I guess there must be a reason why Usmanov didn't want to be the majority shareholder, so decided to place his accountant as the major shareholder – knowing he would do whatever Usmanov told him to.

There was no doubt that there would be a financial cooperation with Moshiri and Usmanov and Usmanov did say he did not want to own the club but would help out his friend if he needed it. That was before the war with Ukraine that brought down the sanctions.

These oligarchs are being scrutinized from financial investigators to law officers all over the world, and I am sure that both Everton and Moshiri will be very cautious over any past or future dealings with Usmanov.

Moshiri most probably will want to sell his shareholding in Everton but will want to make a profit, and this time of uncertainty with the club struggling and the stadium only partially built is not the time.

The best thing for the club is if the American MSP Sports Capital come in with positions on the board, with 1 replacing the Chairman.

From what is being said, if they want to investigate ownership, they should start with the Newcastle Ownership.

Could just be media chatter or there could be some politics involved, eg, throw Everton under the bus to distract attention from the elephant in the room that is the Saudi takeover of Newcastle and what's now coming out in the Liverpool case.

I was at the magnificent Aberdeen game. Wet Wet Wet, Marti Pello, Kojak, Singers sewing machines. Life owed to that town.

I think that Moshiri's main interest is a Real Estate investment, consisting of Everton-related properties, under separate management from the club. He is therefore wanting additional investment in the club by a vested interested investor to take the management of the club forward, to increase its value.

Most would realise the latter is necessary.

Phases like 'claimed in the media' and 'goverment sources have told the Mail' oh yeah?

A bit vague don't you think and easy to invent.

So, if he sells, that must be good ?? And thus the new owners should the ones under scrutiny ??

Possible translation; He hasn't had a offer he can live with yet.

Focusing on the football side this mid week, as it’s a very tough game v Brentford.

But some basic questions, will be asked, but will Everton issue a statement when, it’s the right time to do so, on this issue?

That’s part of the anchor and the barnacles making the dead weight that have gradually brought Everton down, in terms of a functional and effectively run business.

Good news that Isaac Price, has been called up for NIs, first team.

Good luck to the lad, and he and a few others in the u21s, will see the coin drop for them, in their career pursuit, at the end of this season.

Now for Brentford, this will be some game.

UTFTs!

Then, very simply start to actually employ competent people - they do exist - who can run a football club. There is absolutely zero prerequisite that anyone employed by the football club needs to have some historical ties to it.

And then we move forward. So get it fucking done Moshiri you dithering twat.

Nick. Pour a glass of wine and relax. We've got Brentford to think about.

Hmm, regarding timing.

They say they're open to helping anyone at all, with whatever mental difficulty they think they face.

One such punter was powerfully afflicted. He said he didn't live anywhere near Liverpool but he was terrified to visit even though he now realised he'd been financially shagged senseless by the biggest c**t he'd ever encountered in decades of international financial dealings. He said he didn't know where to turn and was right at the end of his tether. He pleaded for help.

He also alluded to some bloke overseas who frightens him but has never done him any harm to date, unlike the aforesaid.

DBB, the boss of EITC, helpfully said she would leave no stone unturned to resolve his anguish, but only after she consulted with a more qualified "partner".

So that's that sorted then.

What a great charity......... dedicated to helping folk who've not necessarily got a clue about football or Everton.

I'm thinking more along the lines of what Paul Tran said in post 12.

I know it's always denied, but what if Mosh owed Usmanov and the latter wants his money back? That couldn't easily happen if Mosh sells right now, given sanctions. Instead, get some external investment in now to finish the stadium and sell out (and repay) later when maybe the dust has settled

Sounds like coprolite to me, if there's suspected wrongdoing they would investigate notwithstanding.

They appear to be looking in the Maggot's direction, as if to say, "Another Fine Mess!"

The other point is that Moshiri has been aware of the possibility of the dangers of dealing with Regulatory Authorities before he bought a Everton Share and set up his investment at arms length with this in mind.This left him open to having to deal with Kenwright and falling for his bluff like us all.Kenwright having found his 'billionaire ' it could be said has proved to be worse than any Government sanctions.

You're correct. They are just taking the proverbial moral high ground after years of having their snout in the Russian trough and ignoring where the money has been coming from.

It would be hypocrisy of the highest order to persecute, when they themselves have been dining on caviar and drinking Vodka for years.

I totally get that this current stance is understandably driven by the tragic and brutal events we are witnessing in Ukraine. But where were they in 2014 when the Crimea was annexed? The Crimea being Ukraine. A bit of shouting but no outrage or sanctions and Abramovic was still present at Chelsea.

Anyway, back on track, I am of the belief that Moshiri is going to see out the stadium. He's invested too much in it and just wants an investment partner. Once he gets us there, he will probably hand over the keys.

It wouldn't surprise me if this alleged 25% stake is a foot in the door for an agreed takeover once the stadium is built for the potential investors.

The latest footage of the stadium, by the way. The new Everton Stadium on the Mersey at Bramley-Moore Dock is really starting to take shape. She's looking fine.

Bill: "How do we get the fans off our backs? They keep saying ‘Sack the board’."

Farhad: "I'll tell the gullible fools that I'm selling up and they will take their foot off the accelerator where protests are concerned. They will then become more interested in who is buying the club. They won't want to annoy me during that process.”

Bill: "Good plan… but what if they get bored and rumble us?"

Farhad: "If we start winning games and look like we are not getting relegated, we'll just pump them full of shit about how well the stadium is coming along."

Bill: "What happens if we keep losing games and the protests start again?"

Farhad: "I'll pretend I'm selling up again and they'll go quiet again."

Bill: "You're the best, Farhad!"

Read an article on the BBC website about a group of Arsenal fans who formed a new club – Dial Square FC – based on the original name. Trying to find a ground near the location of the historical factory that the team came from. Their motivation? Too much money in the game, too expensive to be a fan.

So, who's for re-forming St Domingo FC?

Watch this space.

Do they do a veterans league?

Please sell up and fuck off and take our shower of shite board with yer.

COYBB

He is playing really well and knocking them in and providing assists too. Can't blame Dyche as he had only a day in the job before the Window shut. It is almost a very unfunny joke the situation we are in with strikers, or rather lack of them, we get a chance to add, 2 apparently (Danjuma and Sulemana) agreed then did a runner. To crown it all we can't even call on Cannon or Dobbin who have been loaned out. Mind you Simms was recalled and can't get a look in because Maupay is setting the World Alight. :-)

Whatever part he's been acting at Everton the guy has been a disaster from minute one even with Usmanov money. Now it's gone, Lord knows where he will take us. He is one of the donkeys of "Lions led by Donkeys" notoriety.

Other owners such as the Venkys at Blackburn, Fernandes at QPR and even Khan at Fulham (now potentially paying off) spent over £200m each investing in their clubs. Less than Moshiri but still substantial amounts. They didn't panic and sell up when they were relegated otherwise they would then have realised their losses.

Regardless of how this season ends, as long as Moshiri has the means to get by without selling there's no immediate end in sight to his disastrous ownership. He'll only sell when he has to. Could be months but it could be years.

Is that the ghost of Michael Foot making a quick getaway?

I thought they were bought out and renamed as Airdrie United but other fans regrouped Clydebank and went in non-league football.

Kiss my arse, Everton… we actually deserve to go down with this bunch of shitbags in charge.

By saying if he sold the club, they might investigate his links to Usmanov – that is an open invitation to get us into the National League North.

I'm confused – where has Moshiri all but admitted that there is something dodgy between him, Usmanov and Everton Football Club?

I can understand people joining the dots to fit their own narrative, but I have constantly read that Moshiri has always said the club belonged to him and the shareholders, which doesn't and never has included Usmanov.

Eric Burdon's words may be resonating with Farhad on his gold-plated Apple player right now.

John Motson tribute

The internment of Japanese Americans in the United States during World War II was the forced relocation and incarceration in concentration camps in the western interior of the country of about 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry, most of whom lived on the Pacific Coast. Approximately two-thirds of the internees were United States citizens. Guilty by association, bloody hypocrisy.

What about rounding up all the Germans for WW2 – same thing isn't it? Where would you draw the line?

70 years ago there wasn't social media to comment on the incarceration of all those people as there is today, or any such gross distortion of reality, (not that the bent bastards these days at the top are dissuaded from their endless conceit, hypocrisy and lies - but at least anyone with a brain bigger than an amoeba can comment without the fear of personal retribution).

In the UK we now live in challenging times. Lil ol me tries to hold true to the dying words of Frederick Douglass, a black slave in the USA who spent decades founding the principle of free expression. He was asked on his death-bed by earnest young fans for advice on how they they might advance his admirable principles.

He said, "Agitate, agitate, agitate!",,,,,,and that's good advice.

As Toffees we live in way worse peril, but should agitate and then some. .

The Japanese comparison is ridiculous as no one is being herded into camps. But you do have a point.

The biggest issue to me is the hypocrisy. The government were happy enough to take Russian money to boost the economy until the Ukrainian war. Now everyone by association is a Putinphile. The same logic was not applied to all the Saudis or indeed Crown Prince Mohamed when he killed Khashoggi and invaded Yemen.

Likewise, Britain was all about Mubarak in Egypt, and the Queen even gave an award to Ceacescu in Romania… until they didn't and suddenly they were pariahs.

There is a palpable anti-Slav bias and the further East you go, the worse it is. Ethnic Bosnians, Kosovans, Croatians want to break from Yugoslavia in territory that was historically Serb. Atrocities committed by all sides and these groups were pro Nazi in the war but they are freedom fighters and the Serbs are all bad.

Ethnic Russians in Donetsk and traditionally Ukrainian territory who fought the Nazis in the war want to break away and they are all bad.

Now obviously Putin is a scum-sucking murderous piece of vermin. But do sanctions hurt him and his billionaire friends or do they hurt the working-class pensioner in Omsk who's never been near Ukraine? I think we know.

The oligarchs are not nice people and yes they profited within that regime. But are they any different from the hooray Henry class whose ancestors profited from the East India Company and Caribbean plantations in the British Empire? No.

Did our billionaire elite see their assets seized by foreign powers over the Falkland's War? The invasion of Iraq based on false claims of WMD? No.

So, again your internment camp comparison was ridiculous but you have a point.

Our current financial situation and strategic financial silence from the owner and board over the last 12 months is confirmation our main funding is sanctioned. Not even enough money to finish the ground let alone invest in players to retain our Premier League status.

And now the danger of government investigation of any funds generated from the sale after questions over ownership already having been raised in parliament. What a dirty greedy mess modern-day football has increasingly become.

"At least anyone with a brain bigger than an amoeba can comment without the fear of personal retribution."

There's some Canadian truckers that might disagree with you, along with lots of people who had their Twitter, Facebook or YouTube accounts shut down for asking questions some people didn't like.

Neil #77, Moshiri has said that he can fund the ground completion himself if needs be.

So I wouldn't worry on that score. It's just what league we'll be in when it's opened.

The figure at the end of 2022 was €19B seized and €300B central bank funds blocked in the EU. Add to that another £18B frozen in the UK. There's no legal way of spending this yet although politicians are pushing for it.

Russia and its oligarchs are arguing that the seizures are illegal. Based on the EU record in other seizure cases, the Russians are probably pretty confident.

Just keeping up to date with general media sources and there are a few sites with detailed reporting on EU/UK/Russia activity (Consilium).

As Lou Reed sang “Don't believe half of what you see and none of what you hear” – so I try to read a few and hopefully get a clearer picture.

Not read anything about Maupay on them though.

There's every chance we'll be a newly promoted team when the new ground opens.

Or not.

Possibly "Here's some shares but if you ever sell I want the money back." If so, of course it will cause an investigation with monies being paid to Usmanov.

Why would anyone "gift" the Arsenal shares to a man who, by all accounts, had over a billion or two himself?? People can try and explain it away but it… stinks!!

He may build the stadium and pay for it, that's his goal, his end-game, but the state he's brought our club to is just frightening.

Going down would be the worst thing for him. Lost revenue, lost TV money, lost sponsorships, lower sell-on value for players who are on big money, way stricter P&S rules in the EFL — it would be carnage.

Which makes it all the more baffling why they didn't strengthen the team.

Maybe Al Capone was a gentleman too.

Bill might just mortgage his house again or get some friends to lend him the money to buy those shares.

Through the despair of relegation, then the very silent board, (has anyone heard them speak since they sickeningly exposed themselves?) would be removed.

We could then have a happy last season at Goodison, instead of the persistent mundaneness, that has been prevalent throughout the last few decades, and Everton Football Club might even begin to reset.

I know this is just a fairytale, because our finances are that bad, it will allegedly cripple us, but if my fairytale could become reality, then I'd take the heartbreak and the obvious despair, just to see real happiness further down the line.

I am sure you are not alone in wishing that €337 billion was in your account – as well as the politicians you mentioned.

I have got a couple of Lou Reed CDs somewhere – must dig them out and have a listen.

As for our owner – methinks he might as well put his money into something tangible like one of the best football stadiums or entertainment venues in England as opposed to letting the experts he employs spend £600M with nothing to show for it or finding his bank account locked.

I feel the authorities would be hard-pressed to seize that off him seeing as how they let him engage and pay an English company to build it. Even more so if an American investor buys into the project.

But who knows – it seems that these days, depending on who you are, the rules are – there are no rules.

I used the internment of innocent Japanese as an example of painting everyone the same colour, in other words, guilty not by association but being from the same country.

I don't think it is as far-fetched as you make out that corrupt nations, as most are these days would draw the line at anything to protect what they have, illegal or not.

Fair enough. To your point, as recently as 2011, France under Sarkozy illegally rounded up and expelled tens of thousands of Romany people, targeted for their race and deported to the Balkans in spite of Freedom of Movement laws.

I didn't see any dots to join up but I was quite good at English at school when Moshiri said he was not selling the club because it might invite scrutiny in his dealings with Usmanov. So if there were no things that would attract scrutiny why did he say it.
Even Inspector Clouseau could disseminate that, Moshiri is like the kid covered in chocolate and chocolate cake everywhere saying it wasn't me.

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