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By Nick Harris
17 March 2010
Portsmouth have this morning been docked nine points for entering administration, formalising a procedure that was inevitable after their financial meltdown.
A statement just released by the Premier League says: “Following the High Court’s decision that Portsmouth FC’s administration is valid the Premier League Board convened today to apply the League’s rules and policies in relation to a member club suffering an event of insolvency.
“As a result Portsmouth FC has been deducted nine points with immediate effect.
“As part of this process the board met with the administrator to agree how we will work together for the remainder of the season to ensure that the club is able fulfil its commitments.”
Portsmouth were the first club in Premier League history to enter administration but are not the first Premier League club to be docked points. In the 1996-97 season, Middlesbrough were docked three points for unilaterally calling off a match against Blackburn in December 1996 because of an injury crisis. The deduction of those points made enough difference to send Boro down that season.
Portsmouth now officially have nine points from 29 games, leaving them 18 points from safety with nine games to play. Their relegation is assured, as the search for a fifth owner of the season continues.
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