Players semi boost for Pompey

Boost for Grant as Andronikou looks for alternative income

By Danny Wright   Last updated: 12th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Players semi boost for Pompey

Portsmouth: Players won't be sold

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Cash-strapped Portsmouth will not be selling any players before their FA Cup semi-final date, according to the club's administrator.

Pompey were given a boost on Thursday when their battle for survival was aided by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) acceptance of the club's move into administration.

And Andrew Andronikou - the man charged with sorting the finances of the troubled South Coast outfit - has told the fans that none of the team that has helped book a place in the final four of the competition would be moved on.

The news comes as a welcome boost after 85 jobs were cut at Fratton Park in a bid to cut costs.

More trouble appeared to be on the horizon when HMRC looked to pursue Pompey further by claiming Balu Chainrai's ownership of the Fratton Park outfit meant he did not have the legal right to put the club into administration.

Big mistake

That has now been alleviated, however, with a spokesperson for the club confirming: "The Revenue has accepted the administration is valid."

Avram Grant's men can now focus their attention on issues on the pitch, although his side's relegation will more or less be confirmed by a nine-point penalty deduction for entering administration.

But Andronikou has said that Grant will have a full squad to choose from ahead of their 11th April semi-final date with either Fulham or Tottenham at Wembley.

The administrator said he would like to sell players as a means of saving cash and raising much needed revenue, although squad members cannot be made redundant due to protection afforded to them by the Professional Footballers' Association.

He said: "I will not be looking to sell players before the semi-final and I will not be looking to cancel loan agreements before the semi-final.

"The minute I start tinkering with the football part it will be a big mistake. I can promise I will leave that until after the semi-final.

Protected

"The players are very much protected by the PFA and unfortunately I am unable to make any cuts in the playing staff.

'They are very much the shop window of the club so instead I hope they can attract a buyer to this club."

Instead, Andronikou said he would search for alternative means of bringing in money to the club by offering some of the team on a loan-back basis after the semi-final.

He added: "Selling players is an option but first I need to broach the subject with the Premier League. I need their concession.

"As an alternative from looking at the Premier League advancing TV money, I suggested to them to possibly open the window to allow me to sell two players on a loan-back.

"It's one of those subjects we need to discuss further with the Premier League."