January 4 – The Premier League are set to pay Portsmouth’s £7 million share of the latest television monies directly to other top-flight sides to settle the struggling club’s outstanding transfer debts, it confirmed today.
The cash is due to be paid as part of the latest installment of TV money but with Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Watford all owed money by Portsmouth it is understood the league will pay the amount directly to the clubs.
Such action is contained within league rules to protect clubs owed money from transfers but it will not help the cash-flow crisis at the South-Coast club.
Pompey’s non-playing staff were paid today and the players are expected to finally be paid tomorrow after the club’s owners secured a short-term bank loan.
A club spokesman said: “The staff have been paid but there are two separate payrolls and we are still expecting the players to be paid on Tuesday.”
The crisis does not look like easing in the longer term and fans are planning further protests against absentee owner Ali Al Faraj.
Meanwhile, the Premier League have not given approval for Jamie O’Hara to renew his loan deal from Tottenham as Portsmouth are still governed by a registration embargo banning them from making any new signings.
Proposed new loan deals such as O’Hara’s have to be signed off by the Premier League board and they have not done so yet.
A Premier League spokesman said: “The clubs may have agreed a deal in principle but it is up to the Premier League board to decide whether there can be a continuation.”
Related stories
January 2010: Crisis talks after Portsmouth fail to pay players’ wages again
December 2009: Portsmouth facing threat of bankruptcy after winding up petition
December 2009: Portsmouth hopes for new stadium dashed
November 2009: Portsmouth withdraw England 2018 World Cup bid