The Friedkin Group facing more fan backlash and protests amid Everton takeover as statement issued

Everton fans will be hoping that The Friedkin Group (TFG) can provide the stability that they yearn for.

After several turbulent years on and off the pitch, supporters chiefly hope that the Toffees can start afresh should the takeover be ratified. There are hopes that the American firm - headed by billionaire Dan Friedkin - will become Everton’s new owner by the end of the year.

Indeed, things are moving in the right direction to purchase majority owner Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent stake. TFG have set up Roundhouse Capital Holdings Limited, the acquisition wheel for the takeover, with long-standing employees Analaura Moreira-Dunkel and Marcus Watts appointed as directors.

Should everything go through smoothly, TFG will own two major European outfits. Everton, a footballing institution in England, will be added to their portfolio along with AS Roma. Blues supporters will first want steadiness but the ultimate ambition will be to climb back to the upper echelons of the Premier League.

Since buying Roma in August 2020, the club won their maiden European silverware in the inaugural Europa Conference League, while they reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last season. But TFG have detractors among fans in the Italian capital. The decision to axe Jose Mourinho as head coach last January split opinion.

But parting ways with club legend Danielle de Rossi was met with widespread backlash. De Rossi was removed from his post in the Stadio Olimpico just four games into this season and replaced by Ivan Juric. The Roma faithful have let their feelings known about that decision and it also led to chief executive Lina Souloukou departing.

And as the Serie A campaign restarts after the international break, fan group the Curva Sud have demanded ‘a change of direction’ from TFG and spending money is ‘not enough’. When Roma face Inter Milan on Sunday, the Curva Sud will not enter the Stadio Olimpico for the opening 15 minutes of the encounter.

A statement said: "On the occasion of Roma-Inter, the Curva Sud will remain outside - to further highlight the dissent given the importance of the match - for fifteen minutes and in silence to protest against a management that is not following up its promises with actions. Flags vilified, crest never returned, widespread disorganization, approximate merchandising, the choice of people inadequate to represent Roma in every respect, given their lack of knowledge of the Roman reality, of the history of AS Roma, of the traditional values ​​of the Romanisti.

“To lead Roma, it is not enough to spend money but it is necessary to create and represent a company in which every Romanista can identify and be proud of. Since this is not happening, Roman fans from all sectors are invited to join in the protest. Friedkin family, we demand a change of direction.”