Portsmouth have had nine points deducted from their Premier League tally as punishment for going into administration, league officials announced on Wednesday.
The expected move was confirmed after the legal uncertainty over the league’s bottom club’s move into administration was removed following a decision by the UK tax authorities to drop their objections.
The deduction virtually guarantees relegation for Portsmouth, whose total drops to just 10 points, 14 behind second-from-bottom Hull.
The Premier League said in a statement: “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.”
