February 26, 2010

Football: Portsmouth go into administration

As Portsmouth's future is thrown into doubt as they go into administration and are docked nine points, we take a look at some of the characters involved in this sad story

Portsmouth Administration: Portsmouth gone into administration — Portsmouth, 112 years old, are currently languishing at the foot of the Premier League and have been forced into administration by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs due to unpaid taxes
Photograph: Chris Ison/PA Wire/Press Association Images Photograph: Chris Ison/guardian.co.uk

Portsmouth Administration: Alexandre 'Sacha' Gaydamak — Alexandre 'Sacha' Gaydamak outside Fratton Park stadium. Gaydamak become the sole owner of Pompey in July 2006 after previously being the co-owner with Milan Mandaric. He sold the club to Sulaiman al-Fahim in July 2009
Photograph: Andy Hall Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Portsmouth Administration: Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp with the FA Cup after their 2008 victory — Harry Redknapp managed Portsmouth from 2001-2004 and 2005-2008. In his first reign at Fratton Park Redknapp's team won the Division One title in 2002-03 and promotion to the Premier League. He resigned in November 2004 following a disagreement with the former owner Milan Mandaric. Just over a year later he was back at Fratton Park and in 2008 guided the club to their second FA Cup victory. However the fact that more money was paid out to players in win bonuses than amount of prize money and revenue that the cup victory brought the club, was a sign that finances were not in the rudest health
Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Portsmouth Administration: Banner welcoming Sulaiman al Fahim, the new owner of Portmsmouth — The Pompey fans initially looked upon the arrival of Fahim with hope and optimism...
Photograph: Frances Leader/Action Images Photograph: Frances Leader/guardian.co.uk

Portsmouth Administration: Portsmouth owner Sulaiman Al Fahim — ... but he brought with him a whole new set of problems and frustrations
Photograph: Frances Leader/Action Images Photograph: Frances Leader/guardian.co.uk

Portsmouth Administration: Ali Al Faraj - former owner of Portsmouth — Ali al-Faraj purchased a 90% stake in Portsmouth on 5 October 2009 through Falcondrone Ltd from Fahim. However, at the start of February 2010, Faraj lost his stake in Portsmouth to a debtor as part of a repayment agreement on one of his loans
Photograph: Handout/Portsmouth FC via Getty Images Photograph: Handout/guardian.co.uk

Portsmouth Administration: Yoram Yusepov, who is a business partner of former owner Ali al-Faraj — Yoram Yusepov, who is a business partner of the former owner Faraj, watches Portsmouth's home game against Manchester City last August
Photograph: Mike Egerton/Empics Sport Photograph: Mike Egerton/guardian.co.uk

Portsmouth Administration: Portsmouth manager Avram Grant watches from the television gantry — The former Chelsea manager Avram Grant arrived at Portsmouth in November 2009 following Faraj's purchase of the club. After Paul Hart was sacked, he took and over and the Israeli's first two games in charge were marked by defeats. Despite Pompey then beating Burnley and Liverpool in December, they swiftly returned to their poor run of form and are languishing at the bottom of the Premier League with just 16 points
Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters Photograph: Eddie Keogh/guardian.co.uk

Portsmouth Administration: New owner Balram Chainrai watches the team when they visit Hull — The new owner Balram Chainrai watches the team as they visit Hull City. Chainrai is a Hong Kong businessman who has lent Faraj £20m secured though collateral of Fratton Park grounds and the club itself. When al-Faraj failed to meet scheduled loan repayments, Chainrai took control of the club
Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Photograph: Richard Heathcote/guardian.co.uk

Portsmouth Administration: Portsmouth Chief Executive officer Peter Storrie — Portsmouth's chief executive Peter Storrie has been at Portsmouth since 2002 but has announced that he will resign when the administrators sell the club
Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images Photograph: Clive Rose/guardian.co.uk

Portsmouth Administration: Portsmouth's Executive Director Mark Jacob — London solicitor Mark Jacob, who has been Portsmouth's Executive Director since Faraj took control of the club
Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Glyn Kirk/guardian.co.uk

Portsmouth Administration: Portsmouth fans protest — The Pompey fans have become increasingly frustrated, dismayed and angry at what has happened to the club and the monstrous £60m debts it has racked up. They will fear for the future of the club now that it has been docked nine points and faces certain relegation.
Photograph: Chris Ison/PA Photograph: Chris Ison/guardian.co.uk

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