Portsmouth late with player wages

Portsmouth's players have not been paid for a second time this season.

The club issued a short statement tonight confirming their squad had not received their November salaries on time.

A similar situation occurred two months ago when players were paid their September wages late.

The statement read: "Portsmouth FC can confirm that the majority of the first team squad have not yet received their November salaries.

"A proportion of their wages will be paid tomorrow (Friday) with the club's new owners working towards paying the remainder over the next few days."

Portsmouth's difficulties in making the payments are related to the changing ownership of the club.

The previous delay was attributed to administrative problems following the takeover by former owner Sulaiman Al Fahim.

That situation brought criticism of Al Fahim from the Fratton Park board and the club was subsequently sold again to Ali Al Faraj.

The latest developments will lead to further concern for the stability of the Premier League club.

Players' union chief Gordon Taylor tonight voiced his concern.

Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, told Sky Sports News: "You can understand much better problems in the Football League and lower down.

"Chester City, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Watford - players have shown a great deal of solidarity and sympathy and understanding and deferred wages.

"But if that is happening in the Premier League I'm sure it is not good for the image of the game and if it is the case it is not going to be highly thought of at the headquarters of the Premier League either.

"There can't be any good reason in the Premier League with the money they enjoy from television income alone, never mind sponsorship.

"That is what life is about in football, paying wages of the players.

"I thought this had been solved with the change of ownership at the club a few weeks ago. We had this earlier in the season."

Portsmouth have endured a turbulent season on and off the field.

The south coast club are bottom of the Premier League with just seven points from 14 games and manager Paul Hart was sacked last week with Avram Grant taking over.