PORTSMOUTH suffered a double blow last night when they learnt their transfer embargo remains in place, and they will not see any of the £7million they were due in television rights.
Portsmouth learnt their transfer embargo remains in place
The Premier League, who imposed the ban because of unpaid transfer fee
instalments to several clubs both in this country and abroad, decided
the TV revenue should be distributed straight to the clubs still owed
money.
It is believed Chelsea have received some of the cash for instalments
outstanding on the transfer of England defender Glen Johnson, who moved
to Fratton Park more than two years ago, but has since been sold to
Liverpool.
French outfit Rennes are also believed to have been paid money owed when John Utaka, who cost £7m, joined Portsmouth.
Despite this latest setback, Pompey are confident they can sort out all
their financial problems in time for the ban to be lifted before the
transfer window closes at the end of the month.
A Premier League spokesman said they would continue to work closely
with Portsmouth to try to settle “all club liabilities as and when they
become due”. But only when they are satisfied Pompey will not get into
more difficulties over transfer dealings will their embargo be lifted.
As the financial uncertainty rumbles on at the Premier League’s bottom
club, former owner Alexandre Gaydamak has been blamed for the bulk of
the problems.
Current owner Ali Al Faraj insists he and his associates can turn the
situation around provided they are given sufficient time. They hope to
have more investors on board within the next three months.
But Ahmed Al Faraj, brother of Ali, pointed an accusing finger at
Gaydamak, saying: “The mess was huge when we took over, we couldn’t
believe it. Financially it was unbelievable.
“Things are improving, especially financially. It is the toughest
challenge I have faced. If we didn’t want it we would not have bought
the club and we could have waited for administration and got it very
cheap. I would hope the fans
appreciate that and give us a chance to work with them, and then they will see the results.
“We want to get more and more investment. Ali is working on that, and
that is why he has not been around. He has been travelling between
Dubai and Saudi all this time, trying to get more finance and more
investors into the club.
“We are definitely hopeful we can get that in the next two to three months.”
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