Avram Grant asks Premier League for quick decision on nine-point penalty

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The South Coast strugglers suffered another blow in their uphill struggle for survival as they went down 2-1 at home to Birmingham at Fratton Park.

Despite a stoppage-time header from substitute Kanu, a first-half brace from Blues striker Cameron Jerome was enough to give his side revenge for their FA Cup loss on this ground last Saturday.

This result leaves Pompey five points from safety, and they stand to drop another nine behind should the Premier League impose a nine-point penalty following the club's plunge into administration.

Administrator Andrew Andronikou has pledged to fight the rule, which has never been tested as no top flight club has ever suffered this fate.

But Grant admits his team would like to know for definite how many points they will have to claw back if they are to avoid relegation.

He said: "I still believe that this needs to be decided on the pitch and we'll see how we get on.

"We can still do it, but we need to know for sure what will happen. We can't just keep reading in the papers every day that we are nine points down.

"Of course it affects the players, but when they come to the pitch, they are trying everything they can do to win the games."

While Pompey have been at the bottom of the table and favourites for the drop virtually all season, Grant hopes his side's fall into the Championship will not be settled by a decision in the Premier League boardroom.

He added: "For me, there is only one decision. I always respect the rules and we need to respect the rules. But I've said it a hundred times and I'll say it again, football decisions should be settled on the pitch.

"It's not good for the Premier League that a team could be relegated because of a decision that was made off the pitch.

"This is especially because the victims will be the people who didn't do anything wrong here like the fans and the players."