But Blues chief executive Mark Catlin admitted the wrangling between the EFL and Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has the potential to get messy after Friday’s controversial vote. Clubs opted to introduce a wage ceiling by the narrowest of margins with 16 clubs in favour of its introduction - exactly the number needed to see the motion carried. Pompey are vehemently against what’s been put on the table and have sought legal advice on the issue. But Catlin explained that doesn’t mean they intend to seek recourse in the courts. He said: ‘There’s a democratic process. ‘We’re a big believer in the EFL as an organisation. ‘As a club, we’re not people who just takes people to court willy-nilly. ‘We wouldn’t want to go against what was clearly what the majority of clubs in this league wanted. ‘Whether we think it’s right or wrong, legal or illegal we are for the democratic process.’ Despite Pompey’s standpoint, Catlin is acutely aware the PFA may choose to go down a different route to the position they’ve assumed. They’ve called the wage cap ‘unlawful’ on more than one occasion as the process now moves into a period of arbitration, after it gained the required support. Catlin is hopeful that doesn’t mean it will end in a court battle, although he accepts it has got potential to unfold in that manner. He added: ‘It’s now up to the PFA to decide in their view whether they think it’s legal or not. ‘They’re not part of the EFL and they’re not governed by the votes as such like we are as a football club being part of that organisation. ‘It’s got potential to get messy. ‘But as much as I’m advocating this not coming in because I feel it’s restrictive for the larger clubs and bad for football generally, there’s sane heads at the EFL and PFA - so hopefully it doesn’t go that far.’ A message from the editor Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues. The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online. Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.