Portsmouth turn to FA in hope of Europa place
Pompey would normally be granted a place in Europe by reaching next month's FA Cup final against Chelsea, but did not apply for a Uefa club licence ahead of the March deadline for English teams to lodge paperwork with the country's governing body.
The club were in administration at the time but are now confident of securing a new owner, while 1.8million of prize money is at stake if they can beat Chelsea. They will receive parachute payments following relegation from the Premier League this season and the Europa League would also offer extra income. "It will be an uphill struggle in terms of making the appeal but nonetheless we will try," said club administrator Andrew Andronikou.
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Hide AdAndronikou confirmed Pompey will be speaking to French club Lens over allowing Aruna Dindane to play in the final without triggering a 4million payment that comes with his 22nd appearance for Pompey. "Under his contract there was bullet payment after his 22nd appearance, he has played 21 games and we are looking to have a meeting with Lens to negotiate," he said.