Source: Daily_Mail
Show me the money! No pay for struggling Portsmouth players
Portsmouth's season descended deeper into crisis yesterday with some of their players complaining they have not been paid.
Morale is already low after seven straight defeats in the Barclays Premier League but there were chaotic scenes yesterday, with players panicking that their monthly wages had not landed in their bank accounts.
Some contacted their agents, while others spoke directly to finance director Tanya Robins amid fears that the club — under the controversial new ownership of Sulaiman Al Fahim — had suddenly gone bust.
The players are usually paid on the last working day of every month and last night those who had not received their money — some players were paid along with all of the staff — were being assured that it was nothing more than a ‘payroll issue’ and that the money should land in their bank accounts today.
This situation was the last thing the club needed at a time when manager Paul Hart is trying to inspire confidence in his team and prepare for Saturday’s crucial encounter at Wolves.
Even if the money is paid today, it amounts to yet further embarrassment for Portsmouth. Most of the players who guided them to FA Cup glory in 2008 have been sold in a firesale and a lack of investment from their new owner — despite promises of a £50million cash injection — forced Hart to shop in the bargain basement before the transfer window closed at the end of August.
If nothing else, it amounts to an alarming lack of communication between directors and some of their most valuable employees.
Their oppponents on Saturday will have striker Chris Iwelumo back after three months out with a broken foot. He played in the reserves on Tuesday.
