Source: Telegraph
Portsmouth's opening home Championship fixture in doubt
Gaydamak still owns a significant proportion of the land immediately outside Fratton Park and, according to Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou, now wants to charge for its use by the club. [LNB]Andronikou says that Gaydamak's company has suggested a monthly rental and took control of the land this week. He says the locks were even changed, causing difficulties this week with deliveries and even waste collection from Fratton Park. [LNB] Related ArticlesCity cull starts with GarridoUefa awaiting racism reportFulham take legal actionLiverpool plan for life after MascheranoRonaldo: Mourinho's a winnerJames joins Bristol CityA Portsmouth spokesman also said the club were urgently considering their legal position in relation to the land, which is used as a car park and access point to the ground on match days. [LNB]Portsmouth begin the Championship season at Coventry before their first home game against Reading on Aug 14. [LNB]"If we don't have access to the car parks for the first home game, it could be abandoned," said Andronikou. [LNB]"The stadium is effectively an island. The access points are within their alleged ownership of the land. It is a nightmare. When it rains, it pours."[LNB]Andronikou said the club had already agreed to pay Gaydamak rent for club offices and wants to reach an urgent resolution. [LNB]A temporary agreement was reached on Friday for Portsmouth to use the land as a free car park for Saturday's testimonial match for Linvoy Primus against Fulham, but there is no settlement in place beyond next Tuesday. [LNB]Gaydamak has been quoted describing the land as a "big headache" and says that he wants to sell it as part of any future takeover of the club. [LNB]His financier, Glenn Cooper, said that Gaydamak had taken control of the land this week only for reasons of health and safety. [LNB]"The club has been using the land without a lease, with no licence," said Cooper. "That is a dangerous situation for Sacha. [LNB]"If there is an accident, or somebody trips over, it could cause great difficulties. We have been trying for months to talk to the administrator and the club about the land. We have been begging them to come to an agreement. It's nothing to do with money." [LNB]
