FA back Portsmouth in Boateng transfer row

Posted Saturday, September 25, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON (AFP) - The English Football Association (FA) have contacted the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) over the row between Portsmouth and Genoa concerning the transfer of Kevin-Prince Boateng.

The Ghana international joined the Italians from Portsmouth in August and was promptly loaned out to AC Milan, but Pompey claim they are yet to receive any of the agreed five million pounds (5.87 million euros) transfer fee.

Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou said Genoa missed the transfer's first instalment, which was due two weeks ago.

"We've been listening to excuses. We've had enough," said Andronikou, whose club have debts of over 120 million pounds.

"We complained last week on the 15th and got a response saying: 'Sorry, we mistook your bank details'. A week later, it doesn't look like the cheque has even hit the post."

The FA told BBC Sport: "We've made representation to the Italian FA."

Boateng, 23, represented Ghana with distinction at the World Cup, despite having played for Germany at youth level, and helped his adopted country reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

The German-born attacking midfielder joined Portsmouth from Tottenham in 2009, scoring five goals in 27 games for the club.

He has made four appearances for Milan in all competitions so far this season.