Key events
Everton owner exploring sale of club after two years
First, the breaking news coming out of Merseyside this morning is that The Friedkin Group are exploring the sale of their controlling interest in Everton. The group completed its takeover from Farhad Moshiri in December 2024 and have overseen the men’s team’s move from Goodison Park to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
“The time is right to consider the next chapter for Everton,” said a club statement. “We will only entertain interest from parties who we strongly believe will be the right stewards to take the club forward and build on the momentum that has been established.”
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the weekend football countdown as the Premier League returns after an international break overshadowed by the guilty verdict handed to Manchester City on over 100 financial rules breaches. City, who are appealing the verdict, have sought to put on a united front, with Erling Haaland saying yesterday that the club “have to stick together” as they return to action on Sunday at Anfield. All eyes will be on Enzo Maresca at 10.30am (BST) as he faces the media for the first time since news of the verdict.
Other press conferences to look out for today are Andoni Iraola, whose Liverpool side host City this weekend, and Mikel Arteta, the former City assistant coach who has signed a new contract as manager of champions Arsenal this week. We’ll also build up to the weekend’s other Premier League games, including Manchester United’s clash with winless Tottenham at Old Trafford, and an EFL fixture list that includes Sunday’s south-coast derby between Southampton and Portsmouth. Tonda Eckert has this week been handed a six-week suspended ban for his part in the Spygate scandal.
England Women are in action at 5.30pm today as the European playoffs for next summer’s World Cup get under way. The Lionesses must progress past Greece and Slovakia/Ukraine to secure their place at the finals in Brazil. Ella Toone has returned to the squad as a late call-up for today’s first leg in Greece. Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are also in the hunt.
Don’t forget you can get in touch throughout the day with your thoughts via email.
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