I just got a text saying ‘uefa rejected our European appeal’, when I asked where this came from I was told it shows up on the BBC Sport page.
Sure enough, on the ‘yellow bar’ is says: ‘Portsmouth will not play in Europa League next season after Uefa dismisses their appeal.’
Although that is as much as it does say for now.
More, I am sure, will follow…
UPDATE
This has now been confirmed with a ‘joint statement from the FA and Premier League’ saying they have agreed ‘between them’ that our late application is not going to be approved.
It said: ‘the FA and Premier League have confirmed to the administrators of Portsmouth Football Club that they shall not consider any late application for granting of a Uefa Club Licence for the 2010-11 season.’
I am disappointed, bitterely disappointed at this as, and I know this club is in a mess and not everyone can be blamed for everything else or the ‘it is not fair’ approach taken to everything, although I have little doubt had this ‘late application’ been for ‘a bigger club’ if would not have been rejected…
Once again the failings of previous owners, who would have been exposed sooner than they were had they applied – with the ‘books’ having to go to the premier league and FA – have cost us, and although this would have cost us money to be involved I do think that this will now ‘cost’ us, maybe not financially but in terms of how we can start to regroup and redevelop as a club.
Yep, we missed that ‘self imposed’ deadline from the FA and premier league – NOT that I think this should have anything to do with the premier league as this is the FA cup we ‘could have’ gained entry via – but the uefa deadline is May, so surely they should have had the final say, it appears they did not?
I can appreciate that a decision needed to be made fairly soon and if we did not come out of administration or have our CVA approved I would have had little problem accepting this, but not evenning having this chance to see if we can do this disappoints me…
FURTHER UPDATE!
Admin Andy has told The News that the fight to gain entry into Europe next season is STILL ON…
No application has officially been made so rejecting it has surprised him: ‘we’ve earned the right to play in Europe.
‘I find the comments unusual considering our application has not gone in yet.
‘We are still in the process of complying and providing all the information required for us to apply to them.
‘I’ve not spoken to anybody regarding this. We put in a preliminary application and they came back and said “just make an application”. Our lawyers are handling the application.
‘They (the FA and Premier League) have asked us for strict criteria and we are still looking into that.
‘We’ve earned the right to play in Europe so we will make the application, albeit belated.’
This official approach will be made next week although I think it is pretty clear which side of the fence the FA and premier league are sitting on here…
The FA had/have the chance to prove that THEY have the power in English football, by rolling over and releasing an FA CUP PLACE to the premier league they confirm what I think we all know, the real ‘muscle’ in the English game is, worrying so, with the premier league!
As above ‘if’ we come out of admin and have our CVA approved I see NO REASON to prevent us entry, can uefa not step in and have the deciding vote on this – afterall it IS a uefa competition, right?
PLAY UP POMPEY!
Share this article
