The Football League has blocked the proposed takeover of Portsmouth FC by the group led by Keith Harris. This is not so much a vote of confidence in the fans’ takeover by Pompey Supporters Trust (PST) as an expression of concern about the further uncertainity that would result from the new bid.
The Football League has blocked the proposed takeover of Portsmouth FC by the group led by Keith Harris. This is not so much a vote of confidence in the fans’ takeover by Pompey Supporters Trust (PST) as an expression of concern about the further uncertainity that would result from the new bid.
Indeed, there is a sting in the tail for the PST. The League has warned that unless the administration is sorted out by the end of the season, Portsmouth will be expelled. This is in line with League policy that a club cannot start two successive seasons in an insolvent state.
The issue of the ownership of Fratton Park now returns to the battle in the courts between PST and Balram Chainrai’s Portpin group. The hearing has already been delayed three times and is now scheduled for February 14th.
There could, of course, still be an out of court settlement. But despite negotiations, this has not been achieved so far. Chainrai will get less for Fratton Park from PST than he would have done from the Harris group.