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And the Blues chief executive believes the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) have a compelling case against the ceiling’s implementation.

Clubs today voted through the cap and squad’s limit’s immediate implementation, as first revealed by The News this afternoon.

It’s a blow to Pompey who have campaigned against a proposal the PFA have branded ‘unlawful’.

But after speaking to sports lawyers, Catlin feels they are in a strong position to challenge the seismic change for the English game.

Catlin said: ‘The PFA in regard of their members have a different agenda to us.

‘They have a fiduciary obligation to represent their members and make sure a restriction of trade and an anti-competitive scenario isn’t forced on them. I would say they have a very good case.

‘I’m not a lawyer but I’ve spoken to lawyers, as I know the PFA have.

Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin. Picture: Joe Pepler

‘I don’t think the EFL are on particularly strong ground with this, from a legal standpoint.

‘I’ve taken legal advice on it informally with some very good sports lawyers and a couple of firms I know, just to get their unofficial opinion. They feel the PFA have a very strong case.’

Catlin believes it’s clear today’s vote will not see the topic of the wage cap and squad limits taken off the football agenda.

He is hopeful that a dispute between the EFL and PFA will not end up in court, though, with an arbitration process now beginning.

Catlin added: ‘I don’t think the EFL or PFA have any desire for this to go down a legal route, if they can avoid that.

‘Despite the stick the PFA get there’s a lot of very sensible people running that organisation, as there is with the EFL.

‘It’s in neither party’s interest for this to end up in court.

‘There is a mechanism where this now goes to arbitration and hopefully some of the things we have been arguing for now will be agreed.’

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Portsmouth back PFA's case after seeking legal advice following landmark wage cap decision