Grant explains dismissal

(GSM) – Portsmouth manager Avram Grant admitted his dismissal in the Premier League match against Sunderland happened after he felt that he is ‘having enough’ of the club’s difficulties.

Grant was shown red at half-time on Tuesday evening with his side trailing the Black Cats 1-0. Pompey later saved a point after Aruna Dindane scored at stoppage time.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Sunderland, Grant intimated he felt the club is struggling to cope with fighting on so many fronts.

He said, “We are fighting not just against the opponent, but many situations – even the referees.

“Today there were two clear penalties for us. I must say, I’d had enough. I can only fight against so many things. Sometimes it is too much.

“Referees are honest but they go with the atmosphere and they also read the papers, so it is easy to do it.

Grant also spoke about refereeing in England and struggling to keep a clear head with the problems that are haunting the club’s progress.

“I must say I like this referee and the referees in England. But not in the last 10 days.”

He continued, “The players and the fans were great today.

“It is not easy. Imagine you have problems in your work. Could you go to your work with a clear head?

“I want to say something even for the courts tomorrow – football is not one plus one is two, it is a passionate game.

“It is not a clear business where there is no feelings – there is feelings of fans, players and my own. There are problems but football is more than this.”

Grant added, “This club needs to stay alive. That is more important than football. It is 112 years old. It is a traditional English club and in these circumstances I am doing everything to keep this club alive, but I cannot do it alone.

“I don’t know about the financial situation but we are trying to fight and keep it.

“This club needs to stay alive. This is a traditional English club.”