PORTSMOUTH: English Premier League crisis club Portsmouth said on Thursday their players’ December salaries would not be paid until January 5.

The bottom of the table side had hoped to make the outstanding payments on Thursday but the monies will now be cleared after the new year. “Portsmouth Football Club expect to pay their first team squad’s December salaries on Tuesday, January 5,” said a club statement. “The club has been speaking to the Professional Footballers’ Association and the players have been informed. “The club has been assured of receipt of funds by Tuesday and the owner (Ali Al-Faraj) and board have been working hard on resolving the short-term delay.”

This is the third time this season Portsmouth have been unable to pay players’ wages on time after similar delays in September and November. Pompey, beset by problems both on and off the field, will head into 2010 four points adrift at the bottom of the table following Wednesday’s 4-1 home defeat by Arsenal.

British tax authorities

are threatening to take legal action against Portsmouth in respect to unpaid tax bill worth a reported £3.5 million, although Pompey officials have denied they have been served with a formal, winding-up order by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Meanwhile, former Portsmouth owner Sacha Gayadamak, according to

a report in Thursday’s Guardian newspaper, is owed at least £28 million by the

club. Current manager Avram Grant cannot, as yet, look forward to bolstering the squad during the January transfer window as Portsmouth remain subject to a Premier League transfer embargo over issues of unpaid transfer fees.

Portsmouth fans, renowned as being some of the most loyal in English football, finally vented their frustration on Wednesday with chants during the Arsenal match of “Sack the board” and “Where’s all our money gone?”.

Portsmouth have twice changed hands this season with Saudi Arabian businessman Faraj taking over from Sulaiman Al-Fahim, who was only in charge for a matter of weeks after protracted takeover talks with Gaydamak.

Club chief executive Peter Storrie — himself charged with tax evasion by HMRC over allegations he concealed a signing-on fee for Amdy Faye — used Wednesday’s programme notes to try to re-assure fans about Pompey’s future, which looked bright after they won the FA Cup in 2008.