Source: Daily_Mail
EXCLUSIVE: Punch-up at Portsmouth! O'Hara KO's Brown in training brawl
Portsmouth's troubles boiled over on to the training ground on Monday when a practice match erupted into fisticuffs between midfielders Michael Brown and Jamie O'Hara.[LNB] With the cash-strapped club's future hanging in the balance this week, the tension was palpable at their Eastleigh training complex and Brown was making his presence known with over-zealous tackles. [LNB]But when he jumped in on O'Hara, the Tottenham loanee punched Brown to the ground. Team-mates rushed to break up the melee, with Brown coming off worst with a black eye. [LNB] Furious: O'Hara hit out at team-mate Michael Brown after a tackle in training [LNB]One player said: 'It was all over pretty quickly. Brown had beenflying in with a few challenges and he just caught O'Hara with a nastyone. It was a possible leg-breaker. O'Hara just snapped and punchedhim. He didn't take any messing.' [LNB]The flare-up is indicative of the stress around the club. Owner BaluChainrai and partner Levi Kushnir will place the club in administrationif a new owner cannot be found rather than run the risk of liquidationat the High Court on Monday. [LNB]Hopes that a South African consortium would be Portsmouth's fifthowners this season were fading last night after Chainrai failed toreceive the proof of funds requested on Friday. [LNB] 'Leg-breaker!' Michael Brown caught O'Hara with a late tackle [LNB][LNB]Administration is viewed as a last resort but may representChainrai's only hope of recouping £17million he loaned the clubfollowing Ali Al Faraj's takeover. [LNB]Chainrai has securitised that loan by taking ownership of FrattonPark and the freehold of Portsmouth's land in return for writing off£10m of what he is owed. [LNB]That will be recouped with interest by leasing the ground back tothe club at almost £1m per season for the next 15 years - half of theirannual TV cash in the Championship. [LNB]Chief executive Peter Storrie said: 'It's a very honourable thingfor him to do. Not many people can write off £10m, although, of course,he will get it back over a 10 to 15-year period.' [LNB]Pompey chief executive: Peter Storrie [LNB][LNB]The Premier League will make the administration process as smooth aspossible and are ready to advance the remaining £5m Portsmouth would bedue for finishing bottom.[LNB] The club can also expect £32m in parachute payments over the nexttwo years which the Premier League expect to be used to help pay backthe likes of HM Customs & Revenue and former owner AlexandreGaydamak who is claiming about £30m.[LNB] Once in administration, the Premier League would go back on theirdecision not to allow player sales outside the transfer window. Storrietried to explain how Pompey had been taken to the brink by payingplayers huge wages - even though he was running the show. [LNB]He said: 'If you want to know where the money has gone, look at theaccounts. It's no secret, we've had the report submitted to the courts,and we have presented these accountants to prospective new owners. Thebulk of the money has gone to the players in wages. The cost of thewages this year is £37m. Last season, it was £52m, and the year beforeit was £42m.' [LNB]HMRC want £12m and even if the club went into administration,failure to reach agreement over repayment could see them argue that theclub should be liquidated. [LNB]The Premier League are thought to have offered HMRC 'comfort' withregard to them getting their money in an effort to stave off thateventuality. [LNB] Revealed: Al Fahim blasts Portsmouth board in explosive resignation letter Pompey chairman Al Fahim quits and gives away shares to fans' groupPractice pays off for Huth as defender makes amends for disallowed goalReferees are against us! Angry Avram hits out at Premier League officialsPORTSMOUTH FC
