Pompey boss Grant pleads for sympathetic court verdict

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant believes his crisis-hit club deserves a sympathetic verdict when its future is decided in the High Court.

Premier League Pompey face a winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs and were this week given some breathing space to stabilise their finances and prove the club is a viable business under new owner Balram Chainrai.

The Fratton Park outfit owe 7.4 million pounds (8.5 million euros) to the Revenue and have a host of other creditors as debts have mounted to over 60 million pounds (68 million euros).

Portsmouth confirmed on Friday that the High Court hearing to decide their fate has been set for March 1.

“Portsmouth Football Club has been informed by the High Court that the hearing of the winding-up petition against the club by HMRC has been provisionally fixed for Monday, March 1,” a statement read.

“The club is working towards bringing new finance into the business and is in advanced talks with prospective buyers.”

Chainrai is trying to find new investors to avoid Portsmouth being wound up or put into administration and is speaking to two parties but no deal has been agreed yet.

And Grant, who is trying to focus on Saturday’s local derby at Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round, called on the High Court to remember Portsmouth is more than a business to its supporters.

“When you buy a building or a property, there are no feelings behind this. But this is not a normal business,” Grant said on Friday.

“The team belong to the fans because they support the club from the day they are born until they day they die.

“We need to think about this. When someone is doing something wrong, you punish them and this is not an easy case because there is money involved.

“But they need to think about the fans, the players and the staff also.”

Pompey’s clash with League One Southampton is sure to be a fiercely-fought encounter as the old enemies meet for the first time in five years.

Grant knows it will take more than fighting spirit for his side, currently bottom of the Premier League, to reach the last eight.

“Everybody has spoken to me about the history between these clubs,” he said.

“But I don’t want to use the word they say because I don’t think it’s a war. On the pitch, it is a big competition but we need to play football.

“I think Southampton play well as a team – they defend as a team and they attack as a team. I think this is the Alan Pardew way – he did the same at West Ham and it will be tough.”