Liverpool owners FSG eye deal for Vasco da Gama as 777 Partners removed

Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group are exploring a deal to buy Vasco da Gama, according to a report in Brazil, as judges SUSPEND 777 Partners’ ownership of the club.

Globo claims that FSG has carried out its due diligence and that the Rio giants would become part of a potential multi-club network with Liverpool at the heart of it. 

Newly-appointed FSG CEO of Football Michael Edwards declared on his comeback to the organisation that the multi-club model would be explored with Benfica technical director Pedro Marques being appointed having plentiful experience in this regard with Manchester City. 

Hints that a Portuguese team could be added to the network have been given but reports of a takeover of Toulouse in France were ultimately wide of the mark. 

However, the latest reports out of the 4th Business Court of the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice could prompt FSG to add its next club to the network in quick time. 

Judges on Wednesday accepted Vasco da Gama’s request to take the club out of 777 Partners ownership with control of the club now passing back to club directors with 777’s board members removed. 

Vasco has a seven-strong board of directors and five of them have been appointed by 777, including Josh Wander and Steven Pasko, who have been front and centre of 777’s attempts to take over Everton. Their other directors on the board were Andres Blazquez, Donald Dransfield and Nicolas Maya.

Judges have also appointed an independent group to file a report on the club’s finances and conduct an investigation into the club accounts. 

Vasco’s request was based on article 477 of the Civil Code and took into account that 777 is being sued for fraud in the United States. 

777 Partners bought 70 percent of Vasco’s shares back in September 2022 for R$700m (£107m) and also assumed the club’s R$700m debt but the relationship has been in turmoil from the get-go. 

The club’s legal department have now filed two lawsuits against the owners over late payments, including one payment of R$300m which was missed last September but ultimately paid in October. 

Under 777’s ownership, Vasco have been hit with a transfer ban, suffered payment delays and have even been involved in controversially LENDING money to one of 777’s other lending facilities. 

Like the proposed Everton deal, money was loaned to Vasco before the transaction was completed with Vasco receiving some R$70m (£11m) which was then spent on players. 

Despite 777’s backing, the club in 2023 took loans out from German and Brazilian banks at high interest rates. Later in the year the transfer ban came after missed payments for three players. 

The agent of Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, loaned back to Vasco after signing for the Blues, threatened to sue the ownership group over missed payments.  777 owes Vasco R$270m (£41m) in payments this year and a further R$120m (£18m) in 2025. 

777 Partners in crisis

On the pitch Vasco narrowly avoided relegation from the Brazilian Serie A in 2023. 

The organisation is also facing a meltdown at the other clubs it controls. 777 has been denounced by Sevilla fan groups as well as supporters at their French club Red Star. 

At Standard Liege, meanwhile, former owner Bruno Venanzi has recently called for the assets of 777 to be seized over allegations of missed payments. 

Protesting supporters prevented the team’s coach from departing the training ground for a recent league game against Westerlo, leading to a postponement. 

Hertha Berlin fans have also been vocal about their desire to see 777’s ownership come to an end. 

777 Partners agreed to buy Everton back in September 2023 but the deal still hasn’t been completed. Everton Shareholders’ Association have recently written to present owner Farhad Moshiri imploring him to cancel the deal. 

Earlier this month a 777-owned Australian airline - Bonza - entered administration with Everton reportedly calling in Teneo - insolvency advisors - following that process.