Why the Friedkin Group are able to own both Roma and Everton | OneFootball

The Friedkin Group, owners of Roma, announced their agreement to acquire a majority stake in Premier League side Everton on Monday morning.

Here is how the Friedkins are able to control two separate football clubs, and what the complications could be if both end up qualifying for European competitions in the future.

How Friedkin Group can own Roma and Everton simultaneously

Firstly, FIGC rules state that owners, individuals, families and consortiums can have stakes in multiple football teams, as long as they compete in separate divisions. That rule, for example, allows the De Laurentiis family to have controlling stakes in both Napoli and Bari of Serie B.

The FIGC rule is set to change in the 2028-29 season, but that will have no effect on either Roma or Everton, as they do not compete in the same national pyramid. Another example is the Pozzo family, who have stakes in both Udinese and Watford of the EFL Championship.

Multi-club ownership models are increasingly common across Europe, but there are complications when two teams within the same set-up qualify for the same continental competition.

For the 2024-25 season, UEFA rules state that no individual can have decisive control over more than one team competing in UEFA competitions.

Fortunately for the Friedkin group, Everton are not involved in European competition, and as they currently in 19th place with one point in the Premier League so far this season, it would take a mammoth effort for the Toffees to qualify for Europe ahead of next season either.

If Everton and Roma both end up qualifying for Europe at some stage in the future, there are still ways around the UEFA regulations.

La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that owners can theoretically make a temporary transfer of the club’s shares to an independent third party, which would allow both clubs to compete in UEFA competitions at the same time.