City Could Face Blank Saturdays If Portsmouth Close

Last updated : 24 July 2012 By Covsupport News Service

Coventry City could face two blank Saturday's if Portsmouth FC are forced to close on August 10th.

Portsmouth face closure eight days before the season is due to start if Tal Ben Haim, Greg Halford, Erik Huseklepp, Dave Kitson, Liam Lawrence, David Norris and Kanu do not leave Fratton Park or accept wage cuts.

Joint administrator Trevor Birch said in a press statement to the BBC: "The facts are straightforward, the players have to leave and conclude compromise settlements. "Unless we make significant progress on this front by 10 August then we are likely to have no option other than to close the club.

Both Portin and the Pompey Supporters Trust have made offers to buy the club but their offers both depend on the above players having either departed or agreed a cut in wages.

If the worst was to happen and Portsmouth were to close, it is highly unlikely that the Football League would mess about with the fixtures, so soon before the start of the season and all clubs in League One would play two less matches.