Source: Telegraph
Avram Grant dedicates Portsmouth's FA Cup semi-final success to inspirational father
With Portsmouth in administration and having been officially relegated from the Premier League on Saturday, Grant said the 2-0 win over Tottenham was an upset to surpass any of his past experiences in football. [LNB]Grant was also acutely aware of the symmetry between this semi-final victory and Chelsea's 2008 Champions League semi-final win against Liverpool, which also occurred on Holocaust Remembrance Day. [LNB] Related ArticlesIt is about time Avram Grant got the respect he deservesRedknapp: pitch a 'disgrace'Tottenham 0 Portsmouth 2FA Cup semi-final actionUnited need cash injection fastChelsea revived after players 'spoke their minds'"It is more than just football," said Grant, who was wearing an armband to commemorate the anniversary and will on Monday attend a remembrance event in Poland. [LNB]Grant's father survived the holocaust, but died last year. [LNB]"This is the second time it's happened so it's more than symbolic," said the Portsmouth manager. [LNB]"My father told me to live not in the past but in the future. He never hated anyone, even people who did him wrong. He came into life with a smile and departed in his sleep with a smile. This is for him."[LNB]Portsmouth have not applied for a licence to compete in Europe, but Grant still hopes the club can take their place in the Europa League next season. [LNB]He must also address the issue of whether Portsmouth players will agree to waive hundreds of thousands of pounds in bonuses to play in the FA Cup final. [LNB]Clauses ranging from £50,000 to £100,000 are in many of the players' contract and it is understood the squad will take a collective decision to forego those pay-outs. [LNB]"If someone upstairs wants Portsmouth to win the FA Cup, I think it's crazy," said Grant. "The players gave something from their hearts. [LNB]"We haven't known until the last minute who could play for us because of injuries and contracts."[LNB]The Wembley pitch also came in for further scathing criticism on Sunday night after Tottenham defender Michael Dawson slipped for Portsmouth's crucial first goal. [LNB]"The pitch is a disgrace," said Harry Redknapp, the Spurs manager. "I'm not using it as an excuse but, for any professional team to have to play on that, is farcical. How can you play football on a pitch you can't stand up on? [LNB]"Michael Dawson slipped on it at the goal. It was unreal; anyone can slip over on that. It's rock hard and wet on top: it's like a skating rink." [LNB]Redknapp is also concerned that Niko Kranjcar has suffered a serious ankle injury, while Wilson Palicios will be suspended on Wednesday against Arsenal after picking up a 10th booking of the season. [LNB]Vedran Corluka, Aaron Lennon and Ledley King are other major doubts. [LNB]
