PORTSMOUTH Football Club have been put into administration for the second time in two years.

The move means the club will now be subject to a points deduction from the Football League.

The most likely scenario is a 10 points deduction, which would leave the team above the relegation zone on goal difference alone.

However, it is possible a larger points penalty could be imposed.

The High Court appointed PKF as administrators, overlooking Hacker Young who had previously undertaken the role for Portsmouth.

Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs welcomed that decision.

''HMRC is pleased that the court agreed with our view that the creditors of any business have a right to expect that the administrator in these circumstances is completely independent,'' a statement from HMRC read.

''HMRC felt strongly that the appointment of Hacker Young as administrators to Portsmouth FC, whilst at the same time being administrators for the parent company CSI and its previous roles with the various Portsmouth Football Clubs, would present issues of conflict.

''This is why we suggested the appointment of PKF whose knowledge of the football industry and lack of previous connections to Portsmouth FC should reassure creditors.''

The judge heard that the club had an unpaid tax bill of about £2 million and owed about the same to other creditors.

He said he thought that creditors would get a better deal if the club was placed into administration rather than liquidated.

Lawyers told the hearing that being placed in administration could result in Portsmouth being docked more than 10 points by the Football League - a penalty that could suck the club into a relegation fight.

But outside court accountant Trevor Birch, whose team will manage administration, said he hoped that a new owner could be found and urged fans to ''keep the faith''.

Portsmouth directors said earlier this week that the club had applied to go into administration.

The club's parent company, Convers Sports Initiatives, went into administration in November.

Two years ago, Portsmouth became the first Premier League club to enter administration.

Pompey Timeline

2009
• August 26: Sulaiman Al Fahim completes takeover.
• October 5: Al Fahim sells 90% of his shares to Ali Al Faraj.
• December 31: For the third time in the season, the players' salaries are not paid on time. They are eventually paid on January 7.

2010
• February 3: Portsmouth pay overdue January wages after receiving Younes Kaboul's £5million transfer fee from Tottenham.
• February 4: Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai's company Portpin take controlling interest in the club from Al Faraj.
• February 26: Portsmouth confirm they have gone into administration.
• March 1: Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs challenge the administration process.
• March 10: Administrator Andrew Andronikou confirms 85 club employees have been made redundant.
• March 12: Peter Storrie steps down as chief executive.
• March 16: HMRC drops its challenge over move into administration.
• March 17: Portsmouth are deducted nine points by the Premier League for going into administration.
• April 10: Relegation to the Championship confirmed.
• May 15: Beaten 1-0 by Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
• Jun 17: Tax officials insist the club still owe £37million to HMRC.
• Jul 15: HMRC lodge High Court papers to appeal the Company Voluntary Agreement with Portsmouth, which could prevent the club exiting administration.
• August 5: HMRC lose their case, clearing Portsmouth to begin the Championship season.
• October 22: Portsmouth issue a statement claiming ''it appears likely that the club will now be closed down and liquidated'' by the administrators.
• October 24: Liquidation staved off as Balram Chainrai, Levi Kushnir and Deepak Chainrai buy the club.

2011
• June 1: Convers Sports Initiatives (CSI), led by Russian businessman Vladimir Antonov, complete takeover.
• November 29: CSI enter administration, with Antonov stepping down as Portsmouth owner.

2012
• January 24: HMRC issue Portsmouth with winding-up petition.
• February 17: Portsmouth are placed in administration for a second time at the High Court.