Football in Brief: Pompey set for Europa misery after failure to apply for Uefa licence
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Your support makes all the difference.Portsmouth will not be eligible to play in the Europa League next season should they reach the FA Cup final, as they have not applied for a Uefa club licence.
Paperwork and accounts must be submitted to Uefa to enter European competitions, but as the Fratton Park side entered administration last month, they were not in a position to lodge an application before the 1 March deadline.
Avram Grant's side could request a retrospective licence application, but their present financial situation means it would be unlikely this would be successful. The winners of the FA Cup qualify for the Europa League, with that place going to the runners-up if the winners have already qualified for Europe through the Premier League. Grant (above) guided Pompey to the semi-finals where they will face either Fulham or Tottenham at Wembley on 10 April.
Anelka enters talks for contract extension
Chelsea have reopened negotiations with striker Nicolas Anelka over a possible two-year contract extension. The 30-year-old France international, whose current deal expires next summer, has expressed a desire to commit his future to the club, despite earlier talks stalling. If he extends his stay at Chelsea, whom he joined in January 2008, beyond this season, it will be the longest he has spent at one club during a turbulent career in which he has moved seven times and commanded £90m in transfer fees. He has scored 12 goals in 32 games for Chelsea this season.
Pienaar receives 12-month driving ban
Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has been banned from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty to a drink-driving change. The South African international was stopped by police in Liverpool in January, with his breath sample recorded at almost twice the legal limit. The 27-year-old was also fined £1,000 over the offence.
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