777 Partners have provided fresh funding to Everton despite their takeover wrangle.
The Miami-based investors’ bid to take control at Goodison Park is now in a seventh month of delays as they fail to convince the Premier League to ratify the proposal.
Fresh doubts emerged about their ability to fund the Blues after the 777-owned Australian budget airline Bonza entered voluntary administration early on Tuesday.
Thousands of passengers were left stranded as flights were cancelled in light of the announcement, with the company’s eight planes reportedly seized by creditors.
But 777 later provided a £16 million tranche to Everton later in the day to supplement day-to-day operations and funding towards the completion of Bramley-Moore Dock.
That payment now takes the Americans’ financial commitment, amid the lengthy wait for ratification of buying out Fahard Moshiri’s 94.1% shareholding, to north of £200M.
However 777 are yet to repay a £158M loan supplied by former takeover rivals MSP Sports Capital for Bramley-Moore, which remains one of the Premier League’s conditions.