Everton urged to end ‘damaging’ takeover saga as 777’s troubles mount - The Everton Shareholders’ Association have demanded action and expressed ‘concern and frustration’ with the Premier League

Everton's prospective owners 777 Partners and the firm's co-owner Josh Wander have been accused of a "fraudulent scheme" by a lender in a civil court filing in New York.London-based Leadenhall Capital Partners LLP and Leadenhall Life Insurance Linked Investments Fund PLC claim Wander and 777 'pledged' over $350m (£279m) in assets as collateral for a credit facility agreement,

In a suit filed in federal court in New York, a firm that provided hundreds of millions of dollars to 777 accused the company of double-pledging its collateral to other investors.

777 Partners has been accused by one of its lenders of a fraud running into hundreds of millions of dollars, in the latest setback for the Miami-based investment firm’s attempted takeover of Everton Football Club.

Prospective Everton owners 777 Partners have been named in 16 lawsuits over claims of unpaid debts of £100 million, according to the latest case against them and affiliates. A list of unrelated claims are outlined in New York court papers alleging the Miami-based firm borrowed “fraudulently” against £280 million of assets.

The uncertainty surrounding 777 Partners has now reached the point where, understandably, many Everton fans are demanding clarity, writes Sky Sports News reporter Alan Myers