Israel Saria
Portsmouth may seek to retrospectively apply for a place in next season’s Europa League following their FA Cup semi-final heroics at the weekend.
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The ailing club, whose relegation from the Premier League was sealed on Saturday, would normally be expected to automatically claim a place in the Europa League as fellow finalists Chelsea are certain to play in the Champions League.
But since Pompey went into administration at the end of February, they were not entitled to apply for the required UEFA licence and their entry into the competition was thrown into doubt.
However, a retrospective application may be made once the club leaves administration.
And Pompey boss Avram Grant hinted that it is a route the club may go down when he said in the wake of his side’s 2-0 extra-time win over Tottenham at Wembley: “I hope we play in Europe.” (The Times)
Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett will finally announce official plans to sell the club this week, but a new twist means they won’t be in any hurry.
The duo revealed details of a new refinancing package that effectively ends the need for a fire sale, with Royal Bank of Scotland willing to offer a six-month extension to their loan repayment scheme. (The Sun)
Chelsea skipper John Terry will not be saying sorry for his horror challenge on James Milner in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa, according to the Daily Star.
Villa boss Martin O’Neill was incensed by the former England captain’s tackle, which he claimed could have ended the midfielder’s career.
After the game O’Neill called for Terry to apologise, but the paper claims an apology was not forthcoming – nor will one be, despite both players likely to head to South Africa this summer as part of the England squad.
Sporting Lisbon are primed to sign Manchester United full-back Fabio da Silva on loan. The Portuguese side, who are looking at bringing in Steve McClaren as their new coach, are waiting for a decision from United after the 19-year-old failed to make the same impression as his twin brother Rafael. (Daily Mail)
Stoke boss Tony Pulis is set to raid Hull City for French defender Stephen Mouyokolo, with a £2 million bid lined up should the Tigers be relegated. (Daily Mirror)
Birmingham are keen to keep Ecaudor striker Christian Benitez on loan for another season with the pre-aranged fee of £6.5m proving too costly to take him permanently from Mexican side Santos Laguna. (Daily Mirror)
Burnley midfielder Steven Thompson could be set for a return to his native Scotland with Hearts interested in taking him on a free transfer this summer. (Daily Mirror)
And finally, Celtic‘s woeful 2-0 defeat against Ross County in the Scottish Cup at the weekend will result in a mass clear-out this summer, with caretaker boss Neil Lennon saying at least 10 players will need to be bought and sold in a bid to refresh the ailing club. (The Times)
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