Portsmouth Transfer Plans Sunk: Club Banned From Moves Until Debts Resolved

October 28, 2009 9:26 a.m. EST

Portsmouth, England (AHN) - Bottom of the Premier League, owned by a man who declared himself to be 'no billionaire who knows nothing about sport', Portsmouth FC has seen better days.

On Tuesday night the gloom lifted momentarilly with a 4-0 win over Stoke City in the Carling Cup.

By Wednesday morning it had returned, and it had grown darker with news that the club is subject to an FA imposed transfer ban.

The FA imposed the ban, whose first casualty was former Nottingham Forest midfielder Eugen Bopp, until Pompey has cleared its outstanding debts to fellow English league clubs.

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart had hoped to sign Bopp, who was released from League 2 side Crewe Alexandra in the summer, in time for Tuesday's match with Stoke.

Hart needed Bopp after seeing seven of his first-team squad members ruled out through injury.

However the FA refused to register the player while Portsmouth continue to owe other clubs money.

Portsmouth's next match sees them face Wigan Athletic in the Premier League Saturday.