Grant: a sad day for football

AVRAM GRANT reflected on a “sad day for football” after confirmation of Portsmouth’s nine-point deduction for going into administration all but relegated the club from the Premier League – and revealed he would meet the players today before deciding how best to tackle the remainder of the season.

Administrator Andrew Andronikou confirmed Portsmouth would not appeal against the ruling, formally imposed after HM Revenue and Customs dropped their challenge to the club going into administration. The deduction virtually guarantees Pompey – FA Cup winners in 2008 – will be playing in the Championship next season, as they have just 10 points, 14 points behind second-from-bottom Hull whom they face tomorrow.

By then, Grant will have gauged the mood in the squad, which still has an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley to look forward to, but which may lack motivation for what are essentially meaningless matches.