Avram Grant is almost assured to be managing in the first division next season.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON -- Portsmouth faces almost-certain relegation from the Premier League after the financially stricken club was docked nine points Wednesday for being forced to seek bankruptcy protection.

Portsmouth, which has spent most of the season propping up the table, now plunges to 17 points from safety ahead of Saturday's match against next-from-bottom Hull.

Having amassed debts of $130 million (C$201 million), the south-coast club became the first Premier League club to enter financial administration.

Britain's customs and revenue service had been pursuing a winding-up order after questioning the validity of Andrew Andronikou being appointed the administrator, but will now allow him to restructure the club's finances and save the club.

"Following the High Court's decision that Portsmouth FC's administration is valid, the Premier League board convened today to apply the league's rules and policies in relation to a member club suffering an event of insolvency," the Premier League said in a statement. "As a result Portsmouth FC has been deducted nine points with immediate effect."

The league's board has met with Andronikou "to agree how we will work together for the remainder of the season to ensure that the club is able fulfil its commitments."