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PORTSMOUTH: IT'S D-DAY

ABOVE: Portsmouth are bracing themselves for one of the most crucial days in their 112-year history

9th February 2010

By Peter White

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PORTSMOUTH are bracing themselves for one of the most crucial days in their 112-year history today, both on and off the field.

Pompey will learn whether they have been successful in adjourning the HM Revenue and Customs’ winding-up order, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow.

Then Avram Grant’s side will face Sunderland at Fratton Park knowing defeat will all but end their hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

Talks will continue today with Pompey hoping the HMRC will accept a financial settlement of a down payment on the money owed.

The remainder would be paid when the financial situation at Fratton Park eases. Chief executive Peter Storrie and the club’s legal team spent yesterday pleading with the HMRC for more time to pay the reported tax debts of £5.7m.

They argued that new owner Balram Chainrai is desperately seeking fresh investment which could be in place within weeks. That would allow Pompey not only to pay off their debts but also help secure their long-term future.

But if HMRC decide to go ahead with the winding-up order, it will push Pompey to the brink of administration.

And the threat of a nine-point deduction could end their hopes of Premier League survival. Storrie said: “Our objective, now the new owner is in place, is to seek from the courts a ‘stay’ of the winding-up order. We need time for a new buyer to come in and then we will be in a position to pay the Revenue."

"If the Revenue wind this club up, then they will get nothing and that cannot be the right answer. We’re in talks with potential new owners, which would be our fifth owner already this season.” Meanwhile, Pompey midfielder Hassan Yebda has spelled out the grave consequences of losing at home to Sunderland tonight.

Yebda fears defeat will finally end Pompey’s hopes of avoiding the drop even though they will still have another 13 games to try and save themselves.

Yebda said: “We have to do everything we can to beat Sunderland because we know it is our last chance.”