O'Rourke: Everton stance revealed ahead of Man City hearing

Everton are unlikely to back Manchester City after they took legal action against the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider. 

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed the Merseysiders will be focusing on their own situation as they look to solve their ownership problems.

Man City have pursued legal action against the Premier League regarding the associated party transaction (APT) rules in place after reportedly claiming the regulations are “unlawful”.

If the APT rules weren’t in place, clubs could agree sponsorship deals as high as they wanted with no challenge, increasing the amount they could spend under the profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

Reports have suggested Everton, Newcastle United and Chelsea are backing the English champions to varying degrees in their case against the governing body.

But O’Rourke admitted Everton don’t need to be focusing on anyone else’s cases as they have problems of their own to resolve, with Farhad Moshiri looking to sell the club and concerns remaining around their PSR situation.

Everton focus on resolving takeover and PSR issues

The Merseyside giants are believed to be toeing the financial fair play (FFP) line again following their eight-point deduction last season after being found to have breached the Premier League’s spending rules on two separate occasions.

Football Insider revealed last month Everton will need to sell at least one of their “big” stars before they submit their accounts at the end of June to help balance the books.

It has been confirmed 777 Partners will not complete its takeover at Goodison Park, leaving the club in a precarious financial position.

Moshiri is now open to new offers for his 94.1 per cent share in Everton, with Football Insider revealing last month American bidders have contacted the Iranian about buying the club.

O’Rourke revealed getting a new takeover deal in place will be the primary focus at Goodison, but he admitted the club will be interested observers of Man City’s legal battle.

Their case is on track to be settled after a two-week private arbitration hearing starting on Monday (10 June).

In other news, Everton “confident” of midfielder deal as Tottenham swoop.

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