Report Friedkin Group keeps focus on Roma, so could sell Everton over UEFA rules | OneFootball

The Friedkin Group runs both Roma and Everton, but is reportedly ready to pick the Giallorossi if UEFA co-ownership rules force them to choose between the clubs.

The American family-run fund purchased Roma in 2020, then Cannes in 2023, with Everton added to their portfolio in 2024.

As Roma’s US President Thomas Daniel Friedkin, wearing a face mask, looks on before the Italian Serie A football match Roma vs Benevento at Olympic stadium in Rome, on October 18, 2020. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP) (Photo by TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)

They had been adamant that there was a “structural solution” to deal with UEFA’s new multi-club ownership rules which would mean not having to sell one of the two sides.

However, The Times report that this is no longer viable, with UEFA warning Dan Friedkin and the other directors last month that their approach wouldn’t work if both teams qualified for the same European competition.

Friedkin Group prefer Roma to Everton

ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – OCTOBER 02: CEO of The Friedkin Group, Dan Freidkin interacts with his son, Ryan Freidkin, Co-Founder of Imperative Entertainment during a practice round prior to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 at the Old Course at St Andrews on October 02, 2024 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

It was resolved this season because Roma managed to qualify for the Champions League, whereas Everton missed out on UEFA tournaments altogether after finishing 13th in the Premier League.

There is still an option that rather than sell the club outright, they could place one of them in a blind trust, temporarily under the guidance of independent figures.

The Times warns that seeing as Roma are a longer-term investment dating back to 2020, then it is Everton who would likely get the blind trust treatment.

ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – OCTOBER 02: CEO of The Friedkin Group, Dan Freidkin plays a shot during a practice round prior to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 at the Old Course at St Andrews on October 02, 2024 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Dan Friedkin has never attended an Everton game at Goodison Park or the new Hill Dickinson Stadium, while his son Ryan only visited the new Everton structure once when it was a pre-season friendly against Roma.

This might still be a problem, as Calcio e Finanza point out The Friedkin Group only created Pursuit Sports 18 months ago, a structure meant to share data and experience between the three clubs under this umbrella.

It all points to the possibility of selling Everton, or at least part of the Premier League club, and keeping the focus on Roma as the flagship of the Friedkin Group.