Premier League fine adds to Pompey´s problems

Cash-strapped crisis club Portsmouth were fined a reported seven figure sum by the English Premier League (EPL) on Monday for several rule breaches this season.

Bottom of the Premier League, Portsmouth, were effectively condemned to relegation last week when the EPL imposed a nine-point penalty for the south coast club’s entry into administration,

“Portsmouth have been fined for a series of breaches of our rules and regulations during the course of this season,” an EPL spokesman said.

The fine has been reported as being around one million pounds and is understood to relate to the club’s late payment of wages to playing staff – something that has happened four times since August – and late payment of outstanding transfer cash.

The fine will be paid to the EPL out of Portsmouth’s share of television money.

Despite debts of some 65 million pounds, Portsmouth are in the semi-finals of this season’s FA Cup – a tournament they won in 2008 – where they will face either Fulham or Tottenham, while on Saturday they defeated fellow strugglers Hull City 3-2 at Fratton Park.

But even after that win, Portsmouth were still 11 points behind second-bottom Hull with just eight league games left this season.