Portsmouth’s bid to play in Europa League

Mon 12th Apr 2010 | Club & Country Competitions

Portsmouth’s win over Tottenham yesterday has given the club more of a headache than expected. The club will now have to present its case to the FA in a desperate bid to be given the chance to play in Europe next season.

The club who were also relegated at the weekend did not apply for next season's UEFA licence, meaning they are denied entrance to the Europa League despite reaching the FA Cup final.

Under the current rules, Portsmouth’s administration makes them ineligible to play in Europe However, Portsmouth are set to launch an appeal to the FA to see if they can be granted a retrospective licence.

'It will be an uphill struggle in terms of making the appeal but nonetheless we will try,' said Pompey administrator Andrew Andronikou.

After going into administration in March, the club were unable to file their accounts - a key part of the process of receiving a licence from UEFA.

Andronikou confirmed Pompey will be speaking to French club Lens over allowing Aruna Dindane to play in the final without triggering a £4million payment that comes with his 22nd appearance for Pompey.

'Under his contract there was bullet payment after  his 22nd appearance, he has played 21 games and we are looking to have a meeting with Lens to negotiate,' Andronikou added.

'I'm sure they will see it is in the interest of the club, themselves and the player for there to be a compromise.'

Andronikou is also confident Avram Grant will have a full squad to choose from for the showpiece against his former club, despite some of the players having expensive clauses in their contracts that could be triggered. Before that Pompey face Wigan at the DW Stadium on Wednesday in the Premier League.

'We seem to have everything under control at the moment and will, as usual, put out a strong team against Wigan on Wednesday,' Andronikou said on Sky Sports News.

'The issue was regarding FA Cup appearances. Now we have another problem, albeit a very welcome one, for the final. I'm sure we'll have a full squad to play against Chelsea in May.'

Reaching the FA Cup final has sparked interest from new potential buyers.

'It was such a marvellous occasion and such a wonderful result for the club, and it has already triggered further interest,' Andronikou said.

'We had one party who had shown interest, they were hovering, a real significant consortium with sporting interests, and this morning they came to step up their interest.'

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