Pompey threaten action against EPL over embargo

Portsmouth have threatened to start arbitration proceedings against the English Premier League (EPL) unless officials lift the cash-strapped club’s 96-day transfer embargo.

The south coast side, bottom of the English top flight, also want two million pounds’ worth (3.3 million dollars, 2.3 million euros) of television money to be paid to them directly.

Portsmouth executive director Mark Jacob accused the EPL of treating Pompey as “poor relations” and the “black sheep of the family”.

But the club have ruled out suing the EPL. Instead they handed in a letter to the league’s London headquarters on Monday asking for the embargo to be scrapped and direct payment of television money.

Pompey said that unless the EPL met with them on Tuesday they would trigger an independent examination of their dispute with the league.

“The Premier League are withholding the balance of monies they owe us because they believe that we still owe other football clubs money,” said Jacob.

“We have now paid off the three UK clubs. We have agreed with (French teams) Rennes and Lens to accept certain payments now and then defer a schedule of payments going forward. We are finalising the agreement with (Italian side) Udinese.

“The total amount that we directed the Premier League to discharge and pay these clubs is approximately five million pounds.

“So there is a net balance due to the club approaching two million pounds. We cannot see how they can keep the money and also continue with the embargo.

“We believe the embargo should be lifted immediately and that we should be receiving money from the Premier League.

“Today (Monday) we have delivered a letter to the Premier League asking to pay back the money.

“We have called for a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) and if this fails or we don’t get our money back then we shall exercise the powers of arbitration.

“Once again we are being treated as the poor relations and the black sheep of the family… We would like them (the EPL) to use their discretionary powers in a positive fashion rather than negative fashion against the club.”

Meanwhile, Pompey were awaiting the verdict of their High Court appeal over a 5.5 million pounds tax bill. The case was heard on Friday and the verdict was expected to be announced later on Monday.

Portsmouth have been unable to sign new players during the January transfer window because of an embargo placed upon them by the league.

They are trying to force the Premier League to relax the restrictions so they can bring in loan players to Fratton Park.

The EPL board have held talks with Portsmouth, who on several occasions this season have failed to pay their players on time.

And the 2008 FA Cup winners have been unable to convince the league they have the money to cover a reported 10 million pounds of debts to other clubs, hence the decision to divert their share of the television cash to other teams.