Portsmouth were this afternoon officially issued with the winding up petition relating to £1.6 million in PAYE not paid to HMRC. Speaking at the weekend, Andrew Andronikou, joint-administrator for Pompey’s parent company Convers Sports Initiatives, said the situation could lead to player sales with the Blues having made two unsuccessful bids for Joel Ward (pictured) and Jason Pearce over the last 10 days.

We understand that talks have continued between the two clubs since the second bid — believed to be £1.6 million - was turned down yesterday and an increased offer is likely. Leicester continue to be linked with the duo, or in one report today just central defender Pearce.

The winding up petition means Pompey’s other creditors will now make contact with HMRC’s solicitors and will join them in going to court to ask for payment with a hearing set for February 20th.

Speaking to the Portsmouth News at the weekend, Andronikou, who continues to search for a new owner for the club after last week’s proposed takeover broke down, said the current situation isn’t likely to see Pompey go into administration: “Administration is not on the cards and it is the last thing we would consider. I can say that the club has not got significant debts, it has significant cash flow issues.”

HMRC said in a statement: “Ensuring tax is paid on time should be at the centre of a football club’s business strategy, just as it should be for any other enterprise.

“Any business that regards paying tax as an optional extra after other expenses are met, or that uses tax collected from employees or customers as working capital, is potentially heading for trouble.

“It is only fair to those clubs and to other taxpayers who do meet their obligations that HMRC enforces payment of tax debts owed — and if need be, issues a winding up petition or seeks to appoint an administrator.

“There is little HMRC can do for a business - be it a football club or not - whose viability is dependent either on not paying the UK taxes to which they are liable, or on special treatment not available to other customers with similar tax affairs.”

Portsmouth have issued a lengthy statement outlining their current position.

Photo: Action Images

smokester added 22:08 - Jan 24 If we're going to splash out for anybody it has to be defenders. Rather see that than Michael Owen (even if it were true which it probably ain't) come in on a fat wage.
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BrettenhamBlue added 22:09 - Jan 24 Portsmouth have a short term issue (the 1.6) but also they have the long term issue (how to make sure they can pay their tax for the next 6 months of the season). They are haamorhaging money from all angles and ideally need to sell the Kanu's of the world not these guys. However, money is money and it doesn't look as if Kanu etc interest any other clubs right now. 2.4 million would keep them "operational" until the end of April. That would give them the ley way to think through what they are going to do and also gives them the opportunity to think more longterm (it gives them breathing space). If we kept with these 2, and pulled Greg Halford into the deal for 2.5m, I think it would resolve their financial woes and give us a good chance of staying up. Sonko is a reasonable Championship defender (yes, I know he was shocking in the last game) but I feel it wouldn't hurt to completely reassemble our backline. Ward, Pearce, St.Ledger, Halford, Cresswell, Whight, Sonko would give us good competition for places (Delaney could then be sent out on loan). Smith could hover in and about the first team and learn from the other individuals at our club. I hope the Michael Owen story isn't true. He's a very good player, yes, but its the back 4 plus goalkeeper situation that is of crucial concern. Yes, Priskin has exited which allows us room for a striker, but with JET starting to show class,with Scotland and Chopra we should have enough each game to avoid the drop. if we were pushing for promotion, I could understand money being spent on Owen to sign on the dotted line. I would do everything I could to complete this backline, then concentrate on the remaining contracts that are about to expire at the end of the season. Do we really want Scotland playing every match if he doesn't even know he is going to be with us next season. Negotiate these contracts and make them solid (except Leadbitter-who should already be on the transfer list right now, and Kennedy). Once thats done, massive investment in 14/15/16 year old footballers who we aren't then going to give away for free....

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TotalBlue added 23:15 - Jan 24 This is a tough one as a town fan of 40 years yes I would love to see us doing better signing all players we are linked to and would love M. Owen playing for us, but standing back and puting my business head on(ok I run a business no where near as big as M.E sadly) If we turn round and offer high to every single club in the world will then know we will pay what it takes all of a sudden we will be ripped off. Yes we need defenders but we will get them and if we dont WE ARE ITFC yes we get rock bottom BUT WE WILL NOT GO DOWN sadly the cobbold days of football have gone thanks to sky sports pumping in their blood money but, Jewell and M.E ok SC has yet to be proved WILL turn it round People like to harp back to David Sheepshanks, Joe Royle, George Burley and of course the god known as Bobby, they all said one thing the team needs the twelve man so stop the moaning we are all unhappy but for us to survive the twelfth man is going to be the decider. LETS ALL PROVIDE AND GET BEHIND THE TEAM

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Eireannach_gorm added 00:04 - Jan 25 Apparently Owen has just got his coaching badge so is OK he's coming as player manager.
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algarvefan added 00:28 - Jan 25 Michael Owens is a bit on the short side for a centre half ain't he??
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singingtheblues added 00:52 - Jan 25 i hear there's a decent chap down at portsmouth - might be worth a look - his name is norris i believe !
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planetblue_2011 added 06:55 - Jan 25 Sign them both up & St ledger that really will pee Leicester off! We just need to put a good offer down they can't refuse. Hurry up Mr Evans the clock is ticking!!
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dommyboyblue added 07:16 - Jan 25 Captaincrunch - true we should defend better as a team but the goals on sat were the defences fault, as they were long balls over the top which should have been dealt with. To be honest I like the way the team is set up now and think if we can just get a few key players in think we could go on a decent rub. Also it is a system I think even Jimmy B could fit in to now and if we got the best out of him for the rest of the season that would be great. Please let us just make some offers we need to sort this out asap.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:19 - Jan 25 We'll end up with St L. when what we want is Pearce! Sorry to be pessimistic and I hope I'm wrong, but that's the likelihood. Leicester the Man. City of the Championship? Both previously highly anonymous, now fast becoming everyone's clubs they love to hate?
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brendenward35 added 07:24 - Jan 25 More new for you all like the Blades defender news but a bit concerned about the last bit of news. Town Keen On Blades Defender Ipswich shown interest in gritty Yorky defender... http://www.ipswich.vitalfootball.co.uk/#ixzz1kS6tSWzb http://www.ipswich.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=270352 Town Back In For Bramble http://www.ipswich.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=270344

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planetblue_2011 added 07:52 - Jan 25 Sign them both up & St ledger that really will pee Leicester off! We just need to put a good offer down they can't refuse. Hurry up Mr Evans the clock is ticking!!
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Lesta_Tractor added 08:05 - Jan 25 come on Clegg, pull your finger out and get both signed. I really cant be dealing with Hartlepool and Carlisle away next season.
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BrettenhamBlue added 08:16 - Jan 25 VitalFootball is highly inaccurate. Last season it said we wanted to do the double signing of Grant Holt and Simeon Jackson. These deals take time. Portsmouth will want to weigh up the best offer for their players. St. Ledger is unlikely to join ITFC. He is concerned about the precarious position of the club and the likelihood of PJ losing his job. Don't blame him really (source much more accurate than vital football!) If we don't get these 2 --forget about St Ledger. Michael Ball is available for free and might have to fill the "massive void" left by Ingimmarrson. If we end up with Michael Ball I will publicly cry. Can imagine it now "Double signing of the 2 Michaels"

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walberswick added 08:58 - Jan 25 Michael Owen. not playing for his team, check: returning from injury, check not a defender, check. Titus Bramble. not playing for his team, check: returning from injury, check: personal problems, check Perfect, PJ get them on board before anyone else snaps them up.
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walberswick added 09:09 - Jan 25 More than a bit desperate, depending on a club who don't know whether they are in administration or being wound up or will be selling all or none of their players. It's a dangerous waiting game and we couds easily end up with nothing.
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WarkyWonderLand added 09:16 - Jan 25 We are in such a desperate state that we are scrambling round to get players in with 6 days to go of transfer window. No leadership or direction on the pitch and certainly none off it. So its official, Carson was dropped for the Leeds game, wtf is PJ playing at. Yet another great piece of management. And for those who say PJ is on a par with other managers in the championship look at Cardiff last night. Hardly any money spent and a team moulded by mackay and he has been there less time than jewell here. Have lost the faith in him as a manager and would have more respect if he walked. After all, he has said he would what is best for the club and have we won since? Tuesday night is a huge night and people should make their feelings known.

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Keaneish added 10:01 - Jan 25 For those wanting the ins and outs of Pompey's position/options! http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/mobile/football/16710949.stm
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buryblue77 added 11:57 - Jan 25 Why does everything take so long with our club, transfers are just a joke, we supposedly go in for a player and the whole deal just seemsto take for ever. I know i don't know anything about running a football club, but if I go and look at updating my pld banger to something a bit newer I take a test drive, find a bit of fault and why I'm not happy with the dealers asking price, offer him a stupidly low price, he says no and eventually we'll meet somewhere. But it takes minutes, why does this all need to take so long, especially when Pompey know they NEED £1.6m to pay their tax bill and avoid possibly going out of business.

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simonsays added 13:06 - Jan 25 Maybe we could get Norris back?
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alfromcol added 17:00 - Jan 25 Norris, no thanks, he did the dirty on us. He knew his contract was running down and he had a deal lined up at Portsmouth which probably enabled him and his agent to pocket a large signing on fee.
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