Nine points taken away from Portsmouth

(GSM) – Portsmouth have been deducted nine points by the Premier League. The sanction comes after the south coast club went into administration.

Pompey endured terrible financial problems that led to going into administration in February. The club failed to find a buyer to take care of the club’s enormous bill of debts.

The deduction comes after the High Court declared the South Coast club’s administration valid and winding-up order suspended, after HM Revenue and Customs dropped their challenge.

The decision was taken on Wednesday as the penalty was confirmed in a meeting held by the Premier League in the presence of administrator Andrew Andronikou.

Pompey’s total points tally for the season is now reduced from 19 to 10.

A statement from the Premier League said, “Following the High Court’s decision that Portsmouth FC’s administration is valid the Premier League board convened today to apply the League’s rules and policies in relation to a member club suffering an event of insolvency.

“As a result Portsmouth FC has been deducted nine points with immediate effect.

“As part of this process the board met with the administrator to agree how we will work together for the remainder of the season to ensure that the club is able fulfil its commitments.”

The deduction leaves Avram Grant’s side 17 points away from safety with only nine league games remaining until the end of the campaign, thus the team will almost certainly face relegation to the Championship at the end of the season.