Lights finally go out at Fratton Park as Portsmouth's finances dry up

With debts of around £60m, the move will almost certainly seal the south coast club’s relegation from the top flight, as an automatic nine points will be deducted from their current tally.

Reports that four interested parties were considering purchasing Pompey ultimately failed, so the club had to seek debt help and enter administration in a bid for survival.

As well as struggling at the bottom of the Premier League, Portsmouth have needed ongoing debt advice after facing a winding-up order and suffering from a number of ongoing debt management problems.

Premiership players, such as David James and Nwankwo Kanu, have had wages paid late on four separate occasions this season, whilst a separate dispute with former owner Sacha Gaydamak rumbles on over whether Pompey have missed a deadline to repay £9m of the £28m debt that they owe him.

The Premier League also withheld transfer payments worth around £2m and diverted £7m worth of TV revenue to Chelsea and Watford to cover the signings of Tommy Smith and Glen Johnson.

Ex England defender Sol Campbell is also suing the club for £1.7m in unpaid image rights.

This on top of Portsmouth having their fourth owenr in the season, after owner Ali Al Faraj defaulted on loan payments.

Pompey face fellow Premier League strugglers Burnley this weekend before facing Birmingham in next month’s FA Cup quarter final tie.