Serious fraud and extortion claims have been made regarding the private investment group linked with the takeovers of Everton and West Ham United.
Investigative journalists Paul Brown and Philippe Auclair have published a damning report which exposes the dark side of 777 Partners.
They claim fraud, kidnapping, extortion, predatory lending and racketeering are among the things their companies are accused of in United Stated court papers.
One of their founders also has a drug trafficking conviction, further highlighting the alleged shady nature of the organisation.
777 has already forged links with several other clubs worldwide including Sevilla, Genoa, Vasco de Gama and Standard Liege.
Hertha BSC and Melbourne Victory FC are other clubs listed in what has become a growing global football empire.
However, with 777 reportedly ‘haemorrhaging money’, questions have been raised about how they are funding their operations.
The recent news that Sevilla had to put all their players up for sale in a bid to clear a €90 million debt intensified the scrutiny on 777’s operations.
Given that numerous Premier League clubs carry large amounts of debt, it is unclear why Sevilla’s financial situation is seemingly so desperate.
777’s interest in acquiring a foothold in the English top flight will clearly be concerning to anyone with a vested interest in the clubs concerned.
Everton fans are desperate to see the back of owner Farhad Mashiri, but the allegations made against 777 are hugely concerning.
West Ham and Sheffield United are other English clubs that have been linked with 777, but nothing has come to fruition just yet.
With ongoing reports emerging of unpaid bills and late payments, 777 has plenty of questions to answer about their suitability to be involved in football.
While it is unlikely they would pass the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test given the nature of the allegations, 777’s involvement in football elsewhere is hugely concerning.
