Portsmouth face TV cash scramble

(GSM) – Portsmouth’s appeal to lift their transfer embargo and be given £7m in television money, is being considered by the Premier League.

If the Premier League rules against Portsmouth, it could redirect the club’s latest slice of TV money to repay their football creditors.

The decision, whether favorable to the troubled club or not, is expected to be announced on Wednesday after the club representatives met officials in central London on Tuesday, giving further information on their current finances.

Along with Ligue 1 clubs, Lens and Rennes, Chelsea and Tottenham are understood to be owed money by Pompey.

A Premier League spokesman told BBC Sport: “Portsmouth have provided the Premier League with new information regarding their outstanding debts to other clubs.

“The Premier League Board will now check the veracity of that information.”

Redirecting TV money is allowed within league rules to protect clubs that are owed money from transfers.

Portsmouth have estimated debts of £60m and face the winding up petition from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Dubai businessman Sulaiman al-Fahim bought the club in August before selling a 90% stake to Saudi businessman Ali Al Faraj in October.

A club statement at the time read: “The takeover will ensure Portsmouth’s future is safe and will bring financial stability.”

But the promised significant investment has not materialised and fans are planning to continue protests about the club’s problems.

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 live’s Sportsweek programme on Sunday, Portsmouth executive director Mark Jacob conceded he had never met the club’s owner.

“I report to Mr Al Faraj, his brother and several of his other representatives and they are quite happy with the way things are going so far, although they have been disappointed by the negative publicity over the last couple of months,” he stated.

“Quite clearly the problems at Portsmouth have not been since October 2009, they have been caused prior to that date.”

The club have asked for HMRC’S winding up petition to be withdrawn and Jacob has said he is confident the transfer embargo will be lifted.

Last week, he insisted there would be no fire sale of players by the cash-strapped club in the January transfer window.

“I can assure fans that won’t happen,” he told BBC Radio Solent.

“But, quite clearly every player has their price and if manager Avram Grant feels there are players surplus to requirements then we will support him.”

A week after they should have been paid, the Pompey players finally received their December wages.

Portsmouth are bottom of the Premier League, with 14 points from 20 games leaving them four points adrift of 19th-placed Hull City.