Tax authority drops legal claim against Portsmouth

Portsmouth's immediate future has been safeguarded after Britain's tax authority dropped its legal challenge against the Premier League club entering a form of bankruptcy protection.

The customs and revenue service had been pursuing a winding-up order after questioning the validity of the appointment of Andrew Andronikou as administrator.

But while still expressing concerns about the club's finances, it announced Thursday that Andronikou "will be able to make early and real progress with the administration in order to get the best and most equitable return for all creditors.".

With Portsmouth in financial administration, the Premier League is likely to vote to dock the bottom-club nine points.