Pompey allowed to sign players despite transfer ban

English Championship club Portsmouth have been given special dispensation to sign three players despite being under a transfer embargo.

Financially-stricken Portsmouth have been in adminsitration with debts of over 130 million pounds since last season and new manager Steve Cotterill, who replaced Avram Grant after his move to West Ham, has not been allowed to bring in new players until an appeal is heard against the embargo.

But, with the club now three players below the minimum squad size of 20, the Football League have agreed to lift the ban temporarily.

Stoke defender Ibrahima Sonko had already agreed to join the club on a season-long loan and will now officially sign, while goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown, who was previously released by the Pompey, and trialist defender Stephen Jordan are also wanted by Steve Cotterill.

A Football League spokesman told The Portsmouth News: “The Football League is working with the club to help it reduce its wage bill.

“As part of this process, it has given the club permission to bring in replacement players on a case-by-case basis.”