FA Cup win would not give European spot to Portsmouth

[HANDYMAN]

Crisis club Portsmouth will not be able to compete in Europe next season even if they win the FA Cup.

The club would be declined entry to the Europa League because they have not applied for a Uefa club licence.

Portsmouth went into administration last month and were not in a position to file their accounts - a criterion for entry into European competition.

Portsmouth beat Birmingham on Saturday to reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup - a competition they won in 2008.

That Wembley triumph led to the club's first ever European campaign, which gave fans memorable matches against AC Milan and Wolfsburg.

The FA Cup winners qualify for the Europa League, with the place given the runners-up if the winners have already qualified for Europe through the Premier League.

The club could submit a retrospective application for a Uefa licence, but their financial predicament makes it unlikely this would be granted.

Portsmouth, bottom of the Premier League, face either Tottenham or Fulham in the FA Cup semi-finals.

And the club's administrator Andrew Andronikou says he has been reassured by the Football Association that the club will not be thrown out of the competition.

"The FA are fully supportive of us and they want us to succeed and get to the other end," said Andronikou. "There is no chance of us being kicked out of the FA Cup."
BBC Sport - Football - FA Cup win would not give European spot to Portsmouth

if they won the fa cup i wonder who will get their place ? the losing finalists ? the next team further down the european spots in the premier league ?

[LEGEND7]

hopefully losing finalists. That way Liverpool would struggle to get into Europe

[Truthman]

Something to do with being in debt doesn't help but how can they not get in with 'only' £70m debt; Liverpool can get in with £220m debt & we can with £800m debt - mind you we need it to pay down the interest & service the bond. Glazer needs to pay his £880m.

[reddwarf]

I believe West Ham don't have a UEFA licence either so can not compete in Europe at the moment. It's a bit of a non-issue though imo - just like when Cardiff reached the final. Does anyone really expect Pompey to win the FA Cup?!

[Nigel'sChin]

with tottenham in it, i wouldnt bet on portsmouth winning the fa cup.