'Great regret for the Everton fans' - Politician rages amid 'Detest' of Friedkins ahead of takeover

Everton have been warned that they will soon “find out who they are dealing with” in The Freidkin Group, by Maurizio Gasparri.

The Italian Forza Italia politician told Rai Radio1, via Roma News (21 October), that he supported the recent protest from Roma ultras, who left their section of the stadium empty for 15 minutes in the 1-0 loss to Inter a day earlier, and would have liked to join them.

He indicated his wish for the American club owners, who have agreed a deal to buy Farhad Moshiri’s shares at Everton, to leave and deal with the Toffees while expressing his “great regret” at what is in store on Merseyside.

Gasparri said: “I agree with yesterday’s judgment of the Curva Sud, who missed 15 minutes because they detest this Roma management.”

“I would have gone to the Curva to hold up the banner against these Friedkins who leave the sooner the better.

“They bought Everton, let them deal with that. I say this with great regret for the Everton fans who will find out who they are dealing with. Vox populi, vox dei”.

Dan Friedkin to buy Everton from Farhad Moshiri amid Roma anger

The firing of club legend Daniele de Rossi as manager earlier this season has unleashed a major reaction in Rome against the club’s owners just as they are looking to takeover at Goodison Park.

It seems likely that the outpouring of anger at getting rid of the former Italy midfielder just four games into his permanent three-year has been exacerbated by fears that the Serie A giants may be forced to play second fiddle to Everton once the Premier League takeover is completed, with Dan Friedkin expected to be present in the UK for a key role [Sky Italia, 23 September].

Whether it should be a warning to the Toffees or not is largely a matter of perspective, when Roma fans are unlikely to be especially familiar with what Evertonians have been through under Moshiri.

In the circumstances the Friedkins look like a huge improvement, especially in comparison to 777 Partners who spent nearly all of last season attempting to take over.

The Americans look to have the finances and the wherewithal to manage a club the size of the Toffees back to a proper standing in a way that hasn’t been possible for years.

Former Roma chief executive Lina Souloukou, who resigned amid fan fury in the wake of the De Rossi sacking, has been tipped for a senior role with the Toffees [Corriere dello Sport, 18 October].

Back-to-back European finals, with a Europa Conference League trophy, seems like not a bad return for Roma when put alongside repeat relegation battles, fears for the future of the club, and regularly having to sell top stars on Merseyside.

But that doesn’t mean Everton fans will be blind to any of Friedkins’ potential failings, so the new owners will surely hear about it if they make unpopular moves once in place.

However, compared to Moshiri, 777, and even John Textor, they look like the best option for the Toffees at this stage, and fans will be hoping this move doesn’t turn sour in the way the current regime’s reign has.

In other Everton news, the Toffees are ready to let a senior striker leave the club in January amid plans for a yet-to-be-seen ace.

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