Pompey set to test Premier League rules

PORTSMOUTH administrator Andrew Andronikou is set to ask the Premier League for special dispensation on three separate fronts.

Andronikou was appointed after Pompey, who face Burnley at Turf Moor today, became the first Premier League club to go into administration yesterday morning.

That should mean a nine-point deduction which would effectively seal the club’s relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

But Andronikou wants to “test the rule” regarding a points deduction and will also seek early parachute payments and the ability to sell players outside the transfer window.

He said: “I understand everyone is taking it for granted we are going to be docked the nine points.

“It is something I need to broach with the Premier League and then look to start talking about parachute payments. I need that to be confirmed during the course of the week.

“We need to go through the formal process. I think it’s early days to be talking about deducting the nine points.

“It is the rule at the moment but we are the first Premier League club to have gone into administration so let’s just test the rule.”

Andronikou will look at Pompey’s finances and admitted he will be “cutting to the bone”.

But despite his hopes of raising £3-7m, he has promised there will be no fire sale in a bid to balance the books. He said: “Obviously I need to generate working capital in the next two months.

“As part of that process I will need to sell one or two players and that’s the reason for us talking to the Premier League. But I’m not looking at selling the players on a fire-sale basis.”

Pompey’s bid to sell players outside of the window was rejected by the Premier League recently, with other clubs concerned that the transferred players would give teams an unfair advantage in the title and relegation fights.

Therefore Andronikou is proposing to sell the players and keep them at Fratton Park on loan until the end of the season. He said: “It has been clearly stated to me that they (Premier League) will make a concession, but probably on the basis that there will be a sale and loan back.

“Obviously I’m going to try and manoeuvre them into the position where I can sell players outright because that will make them more attractive. To that end, I’m hoping to address all the chief executives of the Premier League on Thursday and ask them to see sense.”

Andronikou is searching for a buyer and revealed he had inherited a list of interested parties from owner Balram Chainrai.

Pompey have had four different owners this term and none of them has possessed the funds to take the team forward. Andronikou said: “Given the recent history of the club, I would like to make it clear, before any interested party approaches us, that we will require up-front and unequivocal proof of funds.

“They will also need references that will satisfy the Premier League or the Football League’s profile for a fit and proper person.

“I would not waste a cup of coffee on anybody unless they can show me proof of funds from a AAA-star bank.

“They must prove they have the funds to do the deal.”