Pompey continue internal investigation

Chief executive Mark Catlin yesterday met with manager Paul Cook as the inquest into the actions of Christian Burgess and Michael Doyle was launched.

The pair were involved in a dressing room confrontation at half-time of Saturday’s Fratton Park match with Stevenage.

Burgess was left with a cut head following the clash – with neither player reappearing after the break.

Instead Jack Whatmough and Amine Linganzi were brought on as substitutes as the Blues went on to slip to a hugely disappointing 2-1 defeat.

Catlin, who had been made aware of the incident by Cook following the match, is now exploring what happened.

In the meantime, yesterday’s scheduled day off was scrapped, with all Pompey players called in for training.

Among them were Burgess and Doyle, who left Fratton Park together on Saturday evening following a meeting with Cook.

While the internal investigation is being concluded, the club will be making no further comment on the issue.

It is understood Burgess and Doyle have apologised to the players and management for their behaviour. However, further punishment remains likely.

That can represent a fine at the very least as the Blues instigate disciplinary action against two first-team regulars essential to Cook’s promotion plans.

Pompey’s next match is a League Two trip to ninth-placed Grimsby Town on Saturday, December 10. Following FA Cup elimination to Wycombe earlier this month, they are without a match this coming weekend.