Everton are being taken to London’s high court by former manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Filings first revealed by The Guardian show lawyers representing the Italian, 64, put in a claim on Friday evening over an unspecified commercial issue.
The records indicate the claim is related to “general commercial contracts and arrangements”.
Neither Ancelotti nor Everton have publicly commented on the matter with no further details available at this stage.
The Real Madrid boss took over in December 2019 shortly after leaving Napoli, guiding Everton to a 12th-placed finish before the Toffees came 10th in his only full season in charge before the move to Spain.
In unrelated news, Everton announced on Monday a series of changes at boardroom level.
Chief executive officer Denise Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance and strategy officer Grant Ingles and non-executive director Graeme Sharp have all departed following the club’s latest fight with relegation - which came amid well-publicised financial issues.
The Premier League club also stated a decision on the future of chairman Bill Kenwright is expected to be made public in the coming 48 hours.
