UEFA has probed multi-club ownership models when considering eligibility to play in Europe and that would again be the case should Everton and Roma qualify for the same competition
Everton chiefs believe plans are in place that would prevent the club from losing out to Roma should they both qualify for the same European competition.
The clubs are owned by US outfit The Friedkin Group – something that would bring scrutiny from UEFA in the event they ended up reaching the same tournament.
But there is a belief within Everton that appropriate measures have been put in place that would ensure they would not be forced to drop down to a less prestigious competition, should both clubs qualify for the Champions League or Europa League, or force the Blues out of Europe altogether if both reached the Europa Conference League.
The potential for a clash of interests among teams that form part of the same multi-club operation came to the fore last summer. In the most high-profile case, FA Cup winners Crystal Palace were forced to drop down to the Conference League to avoid playing in the same competition as French side Lyon. US businessman John Textor was ruled to have had decisive influence in both clubs.
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Other judgements saw Drogheda United, who compete in the League of Ireland’s Premier Division, and FC DAC 1904, from Slovakia’s Super Liga, removed from the Conference League at the expense of what were essentially sister clubs.
Where two clubs from the same ownership group qualify for the same tournament, UEFA’s rules state that favour will be granted to the club that finishes highest in its respective league – an approach that would likely favour Roma.
The issue is relevant to Everton because, like with the Italians, results before the international break increased the potential for a clash. As it stands, qualification for all three European competitions is within reach for both clubs via their league positions.
Roma were knocked out of the Europa League by Bologna earlier this month, closing off that route to the Champions League. They are currently sixth in Serie A, which would see them qualify for the Conference League.
The Blues entered the break in eighth in the Premier League. While that would not lead to qualification for Europe at this stage, they are level on points with seventh-placed Brentford.
The Conference League spot designated for an English side could drop to either position and perhaps even lower depending on the success of the English clubs still left in Europe and who wins the FA Cup.
The range of permutations remains so vast – both teams are three points off the likely Champions League spots in their leagues but could also miss out on Europe altogether – that a clash of interests remains a possibility rather than a probability.
If it were to happen, however, there is confidence at Everton that a “structural solution” exists that would prevent one club from suffering at the expense of the other.
While no details have been released about what that move may be, as first reported by the Times, the ECHO understands neither club has been put in a separate blind trust – the best-known workaround for the issue.
That was the method used by City Football Group clubs Manchester City and Girona so that both could play in the Champions League last season.
INEOS-owned Manchester United and Nice were allowed to play in last year’s Europa League after using a similar approach.
The Blues believe there are alternative options to showing there is no overlap between who has decisive influence beyond the blind trust route.
Should both Everton and Roma qualify for the same competition that belief will be put to the test by UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body.
Any changes made to ensure compliance with UEFA regulations would need to have been made by March 1.
