Pompey battle for survival moves to High Court

LONDON - Portsmouth’s battle for survival in the Premier League switched from the pitch to the High Court on Wednesday as the cash-strapped club attempted to stave off a move by the UK tax authorities to have it placed in administration.

By (AFP)

Published: Wed 10 Feb 2010, 5:48 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 4:06 AM

Having failed to reach an out-of-court accord with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) over an outstanding Value Added Tax bill of 7.5 million pounds, Portsmouth’s lawyers went to court to seek an adjournment of a hearing on a winding up petition presented by the tax body.

If they failed, Portsmouth faced becoming the first Premier League club to be placed in administration, a move that would lead to a nine-point penalty being imposed and effectively condemn Pompey to relegation from the top flight.

That is looking very likely in any case. Portsmouth, who have lost 17 of their 25 matches this season, are currently bottom of the table and six points adrift of Bolton, the club occupying the last survival spot.

Talks on a negotiated settlement with HMRC broke down on Tuesday but there was a glimmer of hope for the club’s long-suffering fans as their side snatched a 96^th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Sunderland.

Aruna Dindane headed in the equaliser after Darren Bent had given Sunderland an early lead from a penalty that resulted in Ricardo Rocha being sent off.

Afterwards, Portsmouth manager Avram Grant appealed to the judge considering the club’s tax case to take the passion of the Fratton Park faithful into account in his decision.

‘It is not a normal business, it is not like an apartment you buy without feelings,’ the former Chelsea and Israel manager said.

‘The club is 112 years old, it belongs to 250,000 people. It needs to stay alive. That is more important that football.’