- They were hit with a ban over a failure to meet payments for two players
- The Belgian side owned by 777 Partners are confident the ban will be short-lived
- Mail Sport’s Chief Football Reporter Sami Mokbel gives the transfer latest on Ivan Toney, Conor Gallagher and more on It’s All Kicking Off
One of the clubs owned by Everton‘s prospective owners 777 Partners have been hit with a transfer ban.
Belgian Pro League side Standard Liege were placed under a transfer embargo by the country’s football association over a failure to meet transfer payments for two players.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the two transfers in question are that of Ilyes Ziani from Union Saint-Gilloise in May 2023, as well as Aron Donnum, now at Toulouse, who signed in 2021 from Norwegian side Valerenga – a deal completed before 777 Partners took control of the club.
Liege though are confident that the sanction placed against them will shortly be lifted.
In a statement they said: ‘As indicated to the (Licence) Commission, the club’s shareholder will transfer the necessary funds to regularise the situation.
Everton’s prospective owners 777 Partners have been hit with a transfer ban at Standard Liege (pictured)
A potential takeover at Everton edged a slep closer last month after 777 Partners had their bid cleared by the Financial Conduct Authority (Josh Wander pictured)
‘The club is therefore confident that the sanction will be lifted. The possibility of attracting players from January 1 is therefore in no way up for question.’
There has been no confirmation as yet as to whether Liege’s ban will be lifted in time to allow them to do business this month.
Liege are one of several clubs in the 777 Partners football portfolio which also includes Genoa, Hertha Berlin, Vasco da Gama, Red Star Paris and Melbourne Victory.
It emerged last year that their Brazilian side Vasco da Gama had also missed scheduled transfer payments, as per the Times.
A potential £500m takeover at Everton recently edged a step closer after the American investment firm 777 Partners had their bid cleared by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Everton boss Sean Dyche has admitted he is not expecting to conduct…