Pompey win court battle with taxman

PORTSMOUTH are celebrating a significant court victory over the taxman that should see the club back in the hands of Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai by the end of this month.

A High Court judge yesterday dismissed a claim by British Revenue & Customs that it was unfair for “football creditors” such as players and other clubs to have preferential treatment when it came to Portsmouth’s debts being paid.

The ruling by Mr Justice Mann secures the future of Portsmouth and will allow the club to emerge from administration and to be sold again to Chainrai — who initially placed them in administration after seizing control of the club in January in order to recoup a loan.