The relegated Premier League outfit qualified to play in the Europa League by reaching next month's FA Cup final, with opponents Chelsea already assured of their berth in the UEFA Champions League. But Pompey had not applied for the necessary license and the Premier League and Football Association confirmed they would not consider a late application from the club, which has reported debts of £119million. Administrator Andronikou has revealed the South Coast side will still apply for the license despite Wednesday's claims by the English football authorities that an appeal will fail. "Despite recent press reports, the club has not been rejected from entry into next season's UEFA Europa League," said Andronikou. "An application has not yet been submitted and has not therefore been considered or rejected. "Although the Premier League and FA do not support the club's quest to play in Europe, the team's achievements on the pitch by reaching the FA Cup final and thereby obtaining a right to play in Europe on merit demands that everything that can be done should be done to assist the club's application. "We truly hope that bureaucracy does not prevail and that a sensible approach can be adopted."
