British Media: Friedkin Personally Travels to Istanbul to Support Roma, Creating Sharp Contrast with Everton

According to British media outlet Sport Witness, the Friedkin Group has shown a clear contrast in its level of involvement with Roma and Everton. After Everton manager David Moyes revealed that he had never spoken with the owners since the Friedkin Group took over the club two years ago, Dan Friedkin personally traveled to Istanbul this week to watch Roma's match following their return to the Champions League.

Italian outlet Roma Giallorossa reported that Dan Friedkin did not want to miss the special moment of Roma returning to the Champions League after seven years, so he traveled to Istanbul to watch the team's away match against Fenerbahce in person.

The report stated that Friedkin decided to “stand alongside the team personally” and is also expected to attend a pre-match dinner. For Roma, returning to the Champions League has always been an important goal in the Friedkin Group's club plan, so the trip was viewed as public support from the owner for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, the players, and the management.

In contrast, Friedkin's public involvement with Everton has been significantly lower. In addition to never having spoken directly with Moyes, the Friedkin Group has remained quiet on several major recent issues involving Everton, including decisions regarding seeking a sale of the club or bringing in minority investment.

In addition, Dan Friedkin was not present when Everton began using Hill Dickinson Stadium. So far, he has still not made a public appearance at the new stadium. Sport Witness pointed out that this contrasts with his habit over many years of frequently visiting Roma and meeting with the team's coaches and players.

However, Friedkin also faces new issues at Roma, one of which involves club legend Francesco Totti. Totti previously declined a position offered by Roma, with reports suggesting that the reason was that the role would not give him enough influence.

Afterward, Totti joined basketball club Maxima, which happens to be a direct competitor of BC Roma, a team supported by Friedkin. Both clubs are preparing to join the NBA Europe League, meaning a basketball rivalry centered around Totti and Friedkin could emerge in Rome.

Meanwhile, as Roma's centenary celebrations approach, the issue of Totti returning to the club has also stalled. According to Italian outlet Siamo La Roma, the two sides had previously been close to reaching an agreement for Totti to participate in the centenary celebrations, but talks have now stalled and no agreement has been reached.

If Totti ultimately misses Roma's centenary celebrations, it would undoubtedly become a major talking point, while his decision to join a rival of Friedkin's basketball project has also brought more attention to the relationship between the two sides.