Everton have endured a torrid past six days, ever since the announcement of their imminent points deduction emerged.
It was a ruling that shocked the footballing world, with the Premier League coming down hard on one of their founding members for a tiny overspend that flouted their profit and sustainability rules.
Whilst few have argued with the receiving of a punishment, given how compliant and honest the Toffees were throughout the process, the scale of it has drawn scrutiny.
Being docked ten points would have been enough to relegate the club in the past two seasons, and if not for some far weaker sides, the same would have been said for this campaign.
The fans, unsurprisingly, have greeted such news with anger.
However, Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol has now sought to suggest that, whilst he has sympathy for the staunch supporters of such a fine footballing institution, they act as a microcosm for a wider issue at play.
Speaking in a Q&A just yesterday, he said: ‘I’ve got a lot of sympathy for them [Everton fans] because they are the ones being punished for something that has nothing to do with them.
‘I think this whole story is much bigger than just Everton. English football in the modern era has an ownership problem. Too many people are buying football clubs without fans knowing what their real motives and objectives are.
‘What has happened to Everton could have happened to virtually any club.
‘The long-term answer across all four divisions is to have much stricter rules about who is allowed to buy clubs.’
Is Farhad Moshiri selling Everton?
Farhad Moshiri would certainly fall under the category of one ownership problem, given the troubles experienced during his reign at Goodison Park.
Having purchased the club in 2016, mid-way through a campaign in which they would settle for mid-table but reach the semi-finals of both domestic cups, he has arguably regressed them since then despite unloading huge portions of his vast fortune.
The build of a new stadium marks the sole shining light amidst a sea of dull, uninspired and downright clueless transfers and managerial appointments, which have led to the financial crisis currently felt.
As such, the Iranian billionaire is finally seeking to jump ship after years of fan protest, with 777 Partners a willing buyer.
Having agreed a deal to offload all of his 94.1% stake in Everton, the two parties now await the ratification from the Premier League before the Miami-based firm can confirm the side as part of their sprawling multi-club portfolio.
