By Andrew Warshaw
February 15 – Professional Footballers’ Association chief Gordon Taylor has angrily denied claims his organisation is scuppering a bid by Portsmouth fans to take over the ailing English club.
A court hearing into efforts by the Portsmouth Supporters’ Trust to run the club was adjourned yet again this week, this time apparently because of a dispute involving the PFA.
Local Portsmouth MP Penny Mordaunt suggested in Parliament that the PFA were undermining a community buy-out of Portsmouth but Taylor rejected this version of events.
“It’s total fallacy to suggest we have undermined the PST’s bid for Pompey. It is just not our job, we cannot decide who takes over a football club,” he said. “It’s very frustrating when you hear those lies.”
Reports have suggested that the latest court adjournment was linked to the PFA seeking clarity over a rival bid from a consortium led by established football trouble shooter Keith Harris – and in particular their aim of paying creditors more promptly.
The Football League, keen to get the Portsmouth saga sorted, have rejected any new bids and Taylor said: “I was upset to hear the comments of the MP in parliament.
“We have no objection to the Trust because we know they will have the club’s best interests at heart,” he added.
“But I do have to make sure our players are protected, so we checked with the Football League. The administrators were looking to pass the blame to someone and we were a very convenient excuse. We have been portrayed in a false manner.”
The leader of Portsmouth City Council, Gerald Vernon-Jackson, has meantime written to Taylor backing the fans. “I note that the late expression of interest from Mr Harris has been dismissed by the PFA,” said Vernon-Jackson in his letter.
“It seems to me that it is clear that the Pompey Supporters’ Trust offer is the only long-term plan realistically available to make our football club sustainable for years to come. As you are aware, Portsmouth City Council has resolved to make a loan available to the Trust to assist their bid to take over the club, and the City Council is working hard to enable this to occur.”
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