Originally Posted by BBC

Portsmouth FC could become the first Premier League club to go into administration after failing to block a petition from HM Revenue & Customs.

HMRC had applied for a winding-up petition against Portsmouth on 23 December but the club argued that the VAT part of its tax bill was too high.

However, a High Court judge dismissed Portsmouth's claim and the hearing is expected to go ahead on 10 February.

The outcome could send Portsmouth a step closer to administration.