Source: Telegraph
Portsmouth 'do not deserve' to win Europa League appeal, says Everton's David Moyes
Portsmouth's administrator, Andrew Andronikou, has vowed to 'explore all possibilities' of getting the Cup finalists into Europe despite the club missing the deadline to apply for the requisite Uefa licence to play in the competition. [LNB]The Football Association are thought to be unlikely to grant Portsmouth special dispensation, as the club, currently in administration, would need to prove they have no debts to other teams, players or tax authorities. If the Fratton Park side were to succeed, though, Everton may yet find themselves cast as collateral damage. [LNB] Related ArticlesO'Neill fears Portsmouth could damage Villa's Euro dreamWembley likely to relay pitch for FA Cup finalChris Foy to referee FA Cup finalFA needs to cultivate English managersPortsmouth to make European requestWigan v Portsmouth: match previewCurrently, those teams finishing fifth and sixth in the Premier League will enter the Europa League, while if Portsmouth are unsuccessful, seventh will be enough for the third and final slot. Should Everton seize what Moyes admits is their 'last opportunity' to break into those positions at Villa Park tonight, it could be the Scot's side ejected in Portsmouth's favour. [LNB]'We do not have many lives left,' said Moyes. 'We have used them all up, in fact. This may be our last opportunity to grab it. If we lose to Villa, I do not think it means we are completely dead, but it makes it more unlikely. [LNB]'I feel sympathy for Portsmouth, for the situation the club is in. Under the circumstances, Avram getting them to the Cup final is miraculous. But you have to ask why Portsmouth did not apply. Did they not apply because they did not think they were going to make it? Then maybe they do not deserve to win the appeal as they did not believe enough in their team. [LNB]'Did they not apply because they had done it late or not had the right people in place? Then that is a mistake internally and they have to abide by the rules like everybody else. If you do not apply to go into it and do not do the right things, you cannot expect to be in there.' [LNB]Buy Portsmouth tickets from Telegraph Sports Tickets [LNB]
