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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Pompey 'shock' at wind-up request | Pompey 'shock' at wind-up request |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Portsmouth Football Club has said it is "shocked and surprised" by the winding-up petition by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) against the club. | Portsmouth Football Club has said it is "shocked and surprised" by the winding-up petition by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) against the club. |
| HMRC applied for the petition on 23 December, but a full court hearing will not take place until February. | HMRC applied for the petition 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, it could go into administration. | |
| Portsmouth said it disputed the amount of money owed and expected HMRC "to withdraw their demands forthwith". | Portsmouth said it disputed the amount of money owed and expected HMRC "to withdraw their demands forthwith". |
| If it does not, the club said it anticipates "a hearing being held in early January 2010 during which we will request that the High Court order HMRC to withdraw their demands." | If it does not, the club said it anticipates "a hearing being held in early January 2010 during which we will request that the High Court order HMRC to withdraw their demands." |
| It added the VAT, PAYE and National Insurance contributions owed to HMRC had been paid, were about to paid, or were being disputed. | It added the VAT, PAYE and National Insurance contributions owed to HMRC had been paid, were about to paid, or were being disputed. |
| The Premier League said it was monitoring the situation at Portsmouth closely and hoped the situation could be resolved without the two parties going to court. | The Premier League said it was monitoring the situation at Portsmouth closely and hoped the situation could be resolved without the two parties going to court. |
| Transfer ban | Transfer ban |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. | 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. |