Everton had an extremely tumultuous day on Monday. The Toffees announced the departure of three key board members and were also notified of an indictment by Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian wants to see money from his former employer because of a contract dispute. Finally, the future of chairman Bill Kenwright hangs by a thread, English media reveal.
The unrest at the offices of the Liverpool club is related to an indictment by Ancelotti. The Italian, who was in charge of Goodison Park between December 2019 and June 2021, has taken his former employer to court over “general commercial contracts and arrangements”. The court reports do not go into the exact details of the claim, but English media claim that it is a tax issue related to a bonus of 2.3 million euros paid to him.
According to the court in England, Ancelotti’s lawyers filed the claim late Friday evening. The upcoming court case is another blow to Everton, as the club has suffered several financial setbacks in recent years, including a three-year effort to raise money for the construction of the new stadium. Reportedly, there is now an investment offer that should result in majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, who has pumped an estimated €85 million into the club, losing control of the club without being paid a penny.
Chief Executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Chief Financial Officer Grant Ingles and club legend Graeme Sharp, who did not have an executive role, are known to be leaving the club. The threesome were told in mid-January in the run-up to the home game with Southampton that they had better stay away from Goodison Park. That advice remained in effect for the remainder of the season. Angry fans demanded from Moshiri that the entire board be fired to help the club move forward. It is expected that there will be clarity about Kenwright’s future within 24 hours.