An 'acceptable' form of asset stripping?

So, we now know that we HAVE been given permission by the premier league to sell players outside of the transfer window.

This is being viewed as a 'vital advantage in the bid to save Pompey- - although is it really an advantage? Surely selling MORE players makes us less attractive to a 'potential' new owner...

We can do this as long as these players do not turn out for their 'new club' between now and the end of the season as they are free to sign for a new premier league club - alternatively, so long as Fifa approves this they can move abroad, but again cannot play for their new club.

Another option is a 'pre-arrangement' with a transfer agreed for the summer and them staying with us until the end of the season, although will many teams agree to this type of deal?

It is all very well players staying with a club and then leaving on a free at the end of the season to complete a Bosman style transfer, but will many clubs happily stump up money to let their 'asset' continue to turn out - and risk injury - for another club?

What would happen if say, Villa, Chelski, Fulham or Spurs signed a player from us on a pre-arrangement, could they then feature against their new club in the cup?

The premier league statement read as follows: 'the Premier League board meeting that convened last week to consider the administration of Portsmouth FC dealt with a number of matters beyond just the application of the sporting sanction (deduction of nine points).

'In accordance with Premier League rules, postponement of the suspension of Portsmouth FC as a member club was conditional on a number of undertakings being given by the administrators.

'These have now been received to the satisfaction of the board and therefore it has decided to allow Portsmouth FC to make player sales under the following circumstances:

'1. Players may be sold to other Premier League clubs but may not play first-team football for the new club before the end of the season.

'2. Players may be sold to a Football League or foreign club, subject to FIFA's approval.

'3. Portsmouth FC may enter into an agreement with another Premier League, Football League or foreign club that a player will be transferred to that other club in the summer.'

Admin Andy says that any players sold would then be loaned back to us - although surely this is down to the selling club and they cannot be forced to do this? And the 'conditions' issued by the premier league do not actually say this is the case.

This does not sit that well with me to be honest, both as a Pompey fan and a football fan - rules are rules so once you 'bend them' it throws everything into chaos. So, basically the transfer window is now 'worthless' really...

It IS the administrators job to get money for the creditors, although which creditors will gain priority? Is it mostly being done to ensure 'bigger fish' get their cash or are the 'small fish' being looked after too? In some ways this will beg that question again, who is being acted on behalf of?

Ok, chances are players WILL, or would, have to be sold in the summer, although why not wait until the summer to do this? I thought we were meant to have given the funding to see us through this administration process? If so why have we sought the option of selling players now?

The players are the clubs asset - and we DO NOT have many of these left, selling these makes what is already looking a somewhat 'unattractive' option look even less attractive is it not? With a number of players out of contract in the summer, and likely to be released, if we start selling players now then what exactly is there to entice in a potential new owner? What is Portsmouth Football Club left with?

If we are in this much trouble that we have taken this route it does make you worry that there is no way out? You, well I, worry that a short-term solution is being sought - but what happens in the long-term...

Of course it is NOT certain that players will be sold - many might not want to go yet as we DO still have the FA cup to play for, so some might think 'why should I go?' I would be concerned that we will get peanuts for players as well, as who is going to offer us decent money knowing that we are basically desperate for this now - again, how does that benefit the club?

It does not really does it...Creditors get something back but we become less and less attractive to anyone looking to come in and takeover.

All in all this seems nothing more than a further 'asset stripping' measure, albeit a more 'acceptable' form of asset stripping...

PLAY UP POMPEY!

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