• FA Cup

Pompey to appeal against Europa League ineligibility

Portsmouth are set to appeal to the Premier League as they attempt to win a place in the Europa League for next season.

With fellow FA Cup finalists Chelsea already assured to be in the Champions League next season, under normal circumstances Portsmouth would automatically be allocated a place in Europe's secondary competition. But, with Pompey in financial turmoil, they did not apply for a UEFA licence before the March 1 deadline and as such are not eligible to play in the Europa League.

Andronikou told Soccernet in an exclusive interview: "We are now taking legal advice. We've already started that process and they'll have a view on whether they can launch an appeal by Friday. We've qualified on the pitch for the Europa league but clearly we haven't qualified on the question of financial covenants.

"The reason we were barred was because the club had to file financial account by May 31, 2009 but they haven't been filed because of the insolvency of the company as part of the current administration.

"I've no idea whether we have grounds for an appeal or whether the appeal would be successful but I have a responsibility to the 100,000 Portsmouth fans to do the best I can for the club.

"My feeling is that we may have some grounds because we are sorting out the debts and are seeking to get a new owner and we should be coming out of administration very soon."

News of the appeal comes on the same day that Andronikou confirmed to Soccernet that the club's unexpected FA Cup triumph over Tottenham had led to further serious interest to buy the club.

Andronikou added: "It was such a marvellous occasion and such a wonderful result for the club, and it has already triggered further interest. We had one party who had shown interest, they were hovering, a real significant consortium with sporting interests, and this morning they came to step up their interest.

"I got the phone call I had almost been expecting as a consequence of the heroics on the field, and with club now in the FA Cup final. We are talking about a well known and substantial group, and if their firm interest materialises into a bid it would secure the future of Portsmouth for a very, very long time.

"This group are serious players, and they have been looking at football club ownership for the past 12 months but haven't found the one they want. Perhaps Portsmouth can now be the one. We shall soon find out, let's see what the day brings, it wouldn't surprise me if there was another call.

"Of course I am not at liberty to divulge the name of the latest consortium to declare their interest, but it has certainly encouraged me this morning.

"It makes it all worthwhile, it was a great day for the fans and for the club, and it can be the catalyst to bring forward the right buyer for Portsmouth."

A place in the royal box on FA Cup final day couldn't be much more of an incentive for a prospective new buyer, and there is sufficient time to have a deal in place for the big Wembley showpiece.

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