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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Portsmouth faces wind-up petition | Portsmouth faces wind-up petition |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Portsmouth Football Club has been issued with a winding-up petition by HM Revenue & Customs, the BBC has learned. | Portsmouth Football Club has been issued with a winding-up petition by HM Revenue & Customs, the BBC has learned. |
| The petition was presented on 23 December, but a full court hearing will not take place until February. | The petition was presented on 23 December, but a full court hearing will not take place until February. |
| If the club is unable to strengthen its financial position by then, the club could be declared bankrupt. | If the club is unable to strengthen its financial position by then, the club could be declared bankrupt. |
| Portsmouth has been the subject of much takeover speculation and has reportedly been unable to pay some player wages in recent weeks. | Portsmouth has been the subject of much takeover speculation and has reportedly been unable to pay some player wages in recent weeks. |
| The club currently lies bottom of the Premier League and has recently appointed ex-Chelsea manager Avram Grant to try to revive its fortunes on the pitch. | The club currently lies bottom of the Premier League and has recently appointed ex-Chelsea manager Avram Grant to try to revive its fortunes on the pitch. |
| Transfer ban | Transfer ban |
| Portsmouth has been the subject of takeover bids and speculation since the summer. | Portsmouth has been the subject of takeover bids and speculation since the summer. |
| Dubai businessman Suleiman al-Fahim bought the club in August, having initially agreed a deal in May. | Dubai businessman Suleiman al-Fahim bought the club in August, having initially agreed a deal in May. |
| But after questions were raised about Mr al-Fahim's finances, he then sold on a 90% stake in the club to Saudi property tycoon Ali al-Faraj. | But after questions were raised about Mr al-Fahim's finances, he then sold on a 90% stake in the club to Saudi property tycoon Ali al-Faraj. |
| Despite promises of significant investment from its new owner, the club remains in financial difficulties. | Despite promises of significant investment from its new owner, the club remains in financial difficulties. |
| It has even been banned from buying any new players until it pays off debts owed to other English clubs. | It has even been banned from buying any new players until it pays off debts owed to other English clubs. |
| Portsmouth said it would be issuing a statement shortly. | Portsmouth said it would be issuing a statement shortly. |
| Under manager Harry Redknapp, Portsmouth won the FA Cup in 2008. However, since Mr Redknapp left for Tottenham Hotspur, the club's fortunes have been in decline. | |
| It has sold many of its cup-winning team, some of which have moved to Spurs to rejoin Mr Redknapp. | It has sold many of its cup-winning team, some of which have moved to Spurs to rejoin Mr Redknapp. |