Portsmouth make claim for Cup cash
DEBT-RIDDEN Portsmouth may be forced to make a special representation to the Football Association in order to keep the receipts from their storming FA Cup run.
The cash-strapped club became the first in Premier League history to enter into administration last month after accruing debts in the region of £70m.
Yet despite that, boss Avram Grant led the south-coast side into the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Birmingham on Saturday.
As it stands, 2008 champions Pompey have earned £607,500 in winnings and broadcast fees from their epic run, and will gain even more when they return to Wembley to face either Tottenham or Fulham in next month’s semi-finals.
First though, the club will need to write to FA?chiefs and argue their case to the Professional Game Board, who will base their assessment on the obligations the club have to fulfil.
Their first priority, however, is a date at the High Court on 15 March after Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs challenged the move to go into voluntary administration and questioned the validity of Andrew Andronikou’s appointment as administrator. HMRC believe he may have links with owner Balram Chainrai, thus compromising his independence.