Former Pompey owners call for clarity (From Daily Echo)

Former Pompey owners call for clarity

5:13pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in Football League

Former Portsmouth owners Portpin have called on the Football League to clarify their position on considering new bids for the club after it was claimed there was "some ambiguity" over their stance.

The Football League originally claimed they would not consider any offers other than the one on the table from the Portsmouth Supporters' Trust.

The PST's takeover is dependent on them gaining control of Fratton Park, which is owned by Portpin, and the two parties are unable to agree on a fee for the ground. The valuation is set to be determined in a High Court hearing before an April 19 deadline.

A rival bid from football financier Keith Harris was rejected by the Football League, but the club's administrators PKF claimed there was a possible softening of their stance that they would not consider any other bid.

Portpin claim that Harris' bid would see them receive £6.3million for Fratton Park, as opposed to the £3m that is currently being offered by the PST.

And Balram Chainrai's company want public clarification on the Football League's position, believing they have a right to listen to every offer that comes in for the club.

A spokesperson from Portpin said: "We have made clear that we are agnostic as to the source of the solution for Portsmouth Football Club and welcome whichever bid offers both the best deal for the creditors of the club and provides the highest degree of certainty for the supporters in bringing Portsmouth out of administration.

"There are now at least two offers for the club, one from the Supporters Trust and one from a consortium which includes Keith Harris, and legally they must both be considered on their merit.

"After more than a year of uncertainty, this process must be brought to a close.

"We are today calling on Greg Clarke, Chairman of the Football League, to commit publicly to the Football League reviewing any bid that is put to it for approval by the administrators.

"If Mr Clarke fails to provide everyone with the certainty that is needed on this issue, the Football League will have no option but to accept its share of the responsibility for the damage that could be caused to Portsmouth Football Club, its creditors and the other members of the Football League which may not end up recouping any of the money owed."