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Gaydamak seizes back Pompey car park
POMPEY players may have to pay to park on match days after former owner Sacha Gaydamak took back control of his land.
Gaydamak still owns much of the land surrounding Fratton Park and yesterday seized the club's car park.
He will now charge motorists 10 to use the car park when Pompey play at home and 5 at all other times, although no charges will be made for the Linvoy Primus testimonial match against Fulham tomorrow.
Pompey spokesman Mark Storey told The News he was unsure whether players would have to pay for parking on match days.
He said: 'We are extremely disappointed by these actions, particularly in light of the fact Saturday is Linvoy Primus's testimonial and all the disruption this could cause.
'We are urgently considering our legal position.'
Gaydamak decided to step in after saying attempts to speak to the club about the car park fell on deaf ears.
He has appointed a facilities management company, called MERJS, to run the car park.
Security guards turned up at Fratton Park in the early hours of yesterday to take control of the land behind the Fratton End.
Glenn Cooper, Gaydamak's financier, said: 'We have been trying for months to talk to the administrator and the club about that land.
'The reason for that is the club has been using that land without a lease, with no licence. That is a dangerous situation for Sacha. If there is an accident, or somebody trips over, it could cause great difficulties.
'We are doing this, taking control of this, for health and safety reasons.
'It was unregulated and we were growing frustrated that nobody had the common courtesy to reply to our letters and phone calls.'
Mr Cooper denied the move was motivated by money, adding: 'We have been begging them to come to an agreement. It's nothing to do with money.
'We have put in a third-party facilities management company and they are going to manage the land now.
'It is likely there will be more parking spaces for fans than there was before, it will be available to everybody, not just corporate supporters.'
Workers were turned away from the car park yesterday morning.
A member of staff, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'We all found out about it when we arrived to work and we were turned away. The only car park we can use is the small one by the main office.
'We were told that it's Sacha Gaydamak's land, and he's put another security company down there. They're going to run the car park as their own.'
Fans will be able to park for free in the car park behind the Fratton End at Linvoy Primus's testimonial match against Fulham tomorrow.
Following talks between Gaydamak and the club the car park will be open to fans for free for the match.
More talks are taking place to come to an agreement about the long-term use of the car park.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Sunday 12 February 2012
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Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
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