Source: Telegraph
Premier League to blame for Portsmouth debacle
A reluctant benefactor, he revealed that he had done so to protect loans he had made to a previous owner. If the club had continued on their journey into administration, the £17 million he had handed over would be worth not much more than £170,000. He made clear he had no intention of staying around for the long haul and beyond retrieving his loan he had no concern for the future wellbeing of Pompey.[LNB]This, lest anyone needs reminding, is the club that won the FA Cup in 2008, a historic part of the local community close to the hearts of thousands. Those in authority who have allowed this sad tale to unfold should be ashamed. Like the guardian of an out-of-control teenager, the Premier League has failed in its duty of care to prevent self-harm.[LNB] Related ArticlesJames kisses £3m Portsmouth contract goodbyePortsmouth's four owners: profilesFootball financial meltdownPortsmouth gain owner number fourSport on televisionAvram Grant's brothel visit[LNB]Sir Stanley Matthews takes the heat off John Terry[LNB]In a week of relentless misery, at last a bit of good news for John Terry. The past is not always as clean as is claimed when it is being used as a stick with which to beat the present.[LNB]In a manner Terry would no doubt like to see become widespread when reporting footballers' indiscretions, the news of the arrest of Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen in 1945 was considered a state secret for 60 years. But the truth is now out: the two pristine legends of sporting integrity were caught red-handed touting black-market coffee and soap to shopkeepers while serving with the RAF in Brussels.[LNB]Unlike Terry, there was no attempt on their part at subterfuge. On one occasion Mortensen followed up an illegal sale by cheerfully signing an autograph. They were arrested after the military police set a trap and were reprimanded for 'conduct to the prejudice of good order and Air Force discipline'. Between them they had made 700 Belgian francs then about £15. This, though, is where their story diverges from Terry's. When asked what they had done with their ill-gotten profits the pair said they had bought presents for their wives.[LNB]
