Portsmouth 17 points from safety after penalty imposed
PORTSMOUTH administrator Andrew Andronikou has pointed the finger at former chief executive Peter Storrie for the financial crisis that has doomed the club to relegation to the Championship.
The Premier League yesterday confirmed that Pompey have been docked nine points – the standard penalty for going into administration – leaving them 17 points from safety with just nine games remaining.
That scenario has been brought about by monetary woes that include £65m of debt and Andronikou attributes in part to Storrie, who left his post last week but remains an advisor to the club.
“Portsmouth are an example of how not to conduct business in the world of football,” said Andronikou. “Mr Storrie was a senior officer of the company and the company has failed so it goes without saying that yes he must bear a large part of the responsibility, absolutely. I would also say that in the last few months that I believe he has exercised his judgement to try to save the club at all costs.”
Andronikou said manager Avram Grant had agreed to stay at Fratton Park “at least until the end of the season”. He added: “We are not ruling out him being here next season – he seems to have a feeling for the club.”