Pompey say players now paid

English Premier League strugglers Portsmouth said on Friday that their players had been paid their November wages.

The south coast club, who are bottom of the table, issued a statement on Thursday confirming that not all their squad had received their November salaries on time.

A similar situation took place two months ago when players were paid their September wages late.

This latest delay was put down to problems arising from the recent takeover of the club by Saudi Arabian businessman Ali Al-Faraj from Sulaiman Al-Fahim, himself only in charge at Fratton Park for a matter of weeks.

“Ali and his advisers have sorted out the small problem there was and the players have been paid in full, I am pleased to say,” Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie told Sky Sports.

“The refinancing they have been putting together is actually going very well,” he added.

“They want a bit of understanding from fans because they have had a lot of debt to deal with and they have put a lot of money in.

“It is a difficult market in the financial world at the moment. They took the club over with little or no due diligence because of the situation with Sulaiman.

“The new refinancing is very close now. They have put a considerable amount of money in.”

Portsmouth have managed just seven points from 14 league games and are three adrift at the foot of the table.

Former manager Paul Hart was sacked last week and replaced by Avram Grant.

Portsmouth have also been subjected to a transfer ban because of concerns regarding unpaid fees to other clubs and Storrie was last month charged with tax evasion.

However, Storrie remained optimistic the transfer ban would be lifted in time for the opening of the January window, when Pompey will look to bolster their squad in a bid to preserve their Premier League status.

“Avram has got some ideas in terms of players he wants to bring in and the owners are aware of that,” Storrie explained.

“Obviously this refinancing arm will allow us to bring everything up to date and we hope then this embargo will be lifted well in time for January.”

Beaten 4-1 by champions Manchester United last weekend and since knocked out of the League Cup by Aston Villa, Pompey’s quest for precious league points continues at home to Burnley on Saturday.