Source: Daily_Mail
Portsmouth's Euro bid fails as UEFA reject crisis clubs late license to play in Europa League
Portsmouth will not be permitted to play in the Europa League next season, the Football Association and Premier League have told the club.[LNB]Portsmouth would have qualified to play in Europe next season after reaching the FA Cup final against Chelsea - who will be in the Champions League - but the club's administrators have been told that any late application for a UEFA club licence will not be considered due to the financial problems.[LNB]The decision means that the team who finish seventh in the PremierLeague - currently Liverpool - would play in the Europa League instead.[LNB] Bad to worse: UEFA have rejected Portsmouth's appeal to play in the Europa League next season, despite the cash-strapped club reaching the FA Cup Final[LNB]A joint statement from the FA and Premier League said: 'The FA andPremier League have confirmed to the administrators of PortsmouthFootball Club that they shall not consider any late application forgranting of a UEFA Club Licence for the 2010-11 season.'[LNB]UEFA had said Portsmouth could submit a late application before May 31 but thePremier League and the FA believe Portsmouth's financial situation - debts total£119million - is so bad that they would not meet any of the criteria.[LNB]The administrators do not expect the club to go in to a companyvoluntary agreement (CVA) until June 6, while the fact that so muchmoney is owed to clubs, other football creditors and Her Majesty'sCustoms and Revenues.[LNB] Bitter blow: Pompey's Euro place will go to the seventh placed side in the league[LNB][LNB]There was also a strong feeling at the FA and the Premier League that one of the reasons the UEFA club licence was set up was to try to prevent clubs being run as badly as Portsmouth have been.[LNB] Portsmouth's administrator Andrew Andronikou had been confident that he couldmake a case for the club to be given the licence and said the ruling was unfairon Pompey fans.[LNB]Andronikou said: 'It's wrong for the fans that they should not be allowed to support their club in Europe next season.'[LNB] Spurs standing firm over controversial £1m Begovic fee from PortsmouthPortsmouth reveal extraordinary level of debts suffered by troubled clubPortsmouth striker Dindane given the green light to play in FA Cup finalPORTSMOUTH FC
