Sports
Portsmouth Denies Cash Crisis Talks
Portsmouth have lashed out at “speculation claiming the club were on the verge of going into administration.
The Premier league outfit have suffered a difficult season on and off the field, with three owners and two managers already in the 2009-10 campaign.
Owner Ali AI Faraj took over from Sulaiman AI Fahim and has pledged to support new boss Avram Grant as he looks to guide the club away from the relegation zone.
There were reports in several national newspapers that the club were facing the threat of administration and that chief executive Peter Storrie had left his post.
But Pompey have issued a statement denying the reports and are confident that AI Faraj’s backing will help the club recover from their current position.
“The owner and board of Portsmouth Football Club are disappointed at recent inaccurate media.
Speculation regarding the club’s finances and the threat of administration,” a statement on the club’s official website read.
“Ali AI Faraj and his associates took over the running of the club and inherited a business that had substantial debts. Dealing with the finances has been the priority since AI Faraj came in to pay the players before taking over the club from Sulaiman AI Fahim.
“The club is not going into administration. If that were the case it would have happened at the end of September or early October.
“This week alone, HM Revenue and Customs were paid #2m and other historical arrears are being dealt with on an ongoing basis.
“The new owner has not had the benefit of TV revenue to aid the club, with the next major instalment due in January. However, he and his associates have already invested substantial funds to keep the club operating and will continue to do so.
“The owner remains committed to the club and has shown that through his investment to date. He will also provide manager Avram Grant with all the tools he needs to ensure the club reaches a position the players’ performances deserve – away from the relegation zone.
“Despite media rumours Peter Storrie remains chief executive and has been holding talks on behalf of the club in other parts of the world.
“Much is happening behind the scenes but constant malicious rumours and speculation do not assist with the proposed major long-term funding that is currently being put in place.
“Finally, we would like to place on record our thanks for the unwavering support shown by our very loyal fans.”
Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.
The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.
We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”
The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.
“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.
“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”
Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.
Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.
It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.
Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.
The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.