ChampionshipPortsmouth are facing a 10-point deduction from the Football League after the club confirmed they have applied to go into administration. A points deduction of that scale - an automatic penalty for administration - would see Pompey drop into the relegation fight at the bottom of the league.

It would be the second time in as many years that the club has gone into administration.

The club has been struggling since November when Russian owner Vladimir Antonov was arrested in connection with alleged fraud at a Lithuanian bank.

Pompey face a winding-up hearing next week over an unpaid tax bill and have not been able to pay their players and staff for January.

A club statement, said: "Portsmouth Football Club today made an application to the High Court to go into administration.

"The club will not enter administration until the court endorses the application and appoints an administrator."

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