Portsmouth's forceful response to being branded football rebels along with Sunderland, Ipswich, Fleetwood, Oxford and Peterborough

The Blues are embarking on a defining period in deciding what will happen to their season over the coming days amid the coronavirus crisis.

They formed a six-strong collective on Thursday night who publicly stated their conviction the campaign should be decided on the pitch ahead of Friday’s video conference between EFL members.

Oxford United, Sunderland, Fleetwood, Peterborough and Ipswich were the other clubs to assume the same position and adopt a united front.

They’ve been perceived as a breakaway outfits in some quarters who are agitating against the over-riding sentiment among members.

Catlin was forthright in shooting down that notion, however, pointing to the reality Pompey are adhering to the official line forwarded by the EFL.

He said: ‘It’s funny to read some comments that the clubs who want to carry on are rebels.

‘We’re not rebels, we loyalists. The EFL line and the FA, government and Premier League lines are we should do all we can to finish the season. All we’ve done is reinforce that.’