Portsmouth given permission to sell players

London: Debt-ridden Portsmouth have been given special permission to sell players outside the transfer window, the Premier League said.

Portsmouth, who had nine points deducted last week after going into administration, are almost certain to be relegated but the relaxation of the League`s transfer rules means the club can raise revenue by selling players this season. The League said any players Portsmouth sell will not be allowed to play for their new clubs this season. "The Premier League Board meeting that convened last week to consider the administration of Portsmouth FC dealt with a number of matters beyond just the application of the sporting sanction (deduction of nine points)," a statement said."In accordance with Premier League rules, postponement of the suspension of Portsmouth FC as a member club was conditional on a number of undertakings being given by the administrators.” "These have now been received to the satisfaction of the Board and therefore it has been decided to allow Portsmouth FC to make player sales under the following circumstances," added the statement which said players sold to the Football League or to a foreign club will need FIFA approval.Portsmouth, who are marooned at the bottom of the table but have reached the FA Cup semi-finals, became the first Premier League club to enter administration after their debts soared to about 78 million pounds (USD 117 million). Bureau Report