The Premier League are set to pay Portsmouth’s €7.85 million share of the latest television monies directly to other top-flight sides to settle the struggling club’s outstanding transfer debts.
The cash is due to be paid as part of the latest instalment of TV money but with Chelsea, Tottenham and Watford all owed money by Portsmouth it is understood the league will pay it directly to the clubs.
Such action is contained within league rules to protect clubs owed money from transfers but it will not help the cashflow crisis at the south-coast club.
However, Pompey’s non-playing staff were paid today and the players are expected to finally be paid tomorrow after the club’s owners secured a short-term bank loan.
A club spokesman told Press Association Sport: “The staff have been paid today but there are two separate payrolls and we are still expecting the players to be paid tomorrow.”
The crisis does not look like easing in the longer term and fans are planning further protests against absentee owner Ali Al Faraj.
Meanwhile, the Premier League have not given approval for Jamie O’Hara to renew his loan deal from Tottenham as Portsmouth are still governed by a registration embargo banning them from making any new signings.
Proposed new loan deals such as O’Hara’s have to be signed off by the Premier League board and they have not done so yet.
A Premier League spokesman said: “The clubs may have agreed a deal in principle but it is up to the Premier League board to decide whether there can be a continuation.”
Meanwhile, the Professional Footballers’ Association are keeping a close watch on the situation and will send a representative to meet the Pompey players tomorrow.
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor told Press Association Sport: “We will find out tomorrow whether in fact the players have been paid and then decide on any strategy for the future.
“We have become used to any number of financial problems at various clubs but you do not expect it at the top level.
“It is certainly not good for the image of the game or the Premier League, and it’s a timely warning that football needs to keep a sense of financial propriety.”