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Kanu claims Birch treated him like an 'imbecile'

The Pompey blame game took another unprecedented turn today, as Kanu opened fire on administrator Trevor Birch.

The Nigerian striker, who won the FA Cup with the club in 2008, becomes the third Portsmouth player in a week to criticise Birch's methods on handling players at such a difficult time – adding pressure onto PKF and their involvement with Pompey.

Kanu has appealed to the Football League over his outstanding £3million debt after falling out with the club's administrators, adding pressure on the club to reach a compromise deal or see Pompey go out of business.

However, a number of the club's high wage earners have openly criticised the way in which Birch has tried to negotiate compromise deals – with some claiming that they still had not been made any new deal.

Israeli defender Tal Ben Haim passed his own parting shot towards Birch earlier this week, slamming the PKF man for 'trying to do deals with the media rather than the players' – a view that was backed by Kanu today.

The former Chelsea man also accused the administrator of double standards – believing that Birch was quick to make comments over monies owed to players, but not disclose the amount his firm was taking for any work at Pompey.

The administrators have reportedly taken £180,000 from the club since their arrival in January – with more due should the club be sold, a fee believed to end up at around £650,000 according to Ben Haim.

Kanu's barrister, Samuel Okoronkwo, released a statement on behalf of the former Olympic gold medal winner, backing Ben Haim in his frustrations over negotiations with the club's hierarchy – adding that Birch must assume full responsibility should Pompey close.

The statement, reported by The News, said: “Kanu is particularly offended by the report the administrator told the club’s supporters he is the main problem and his ‘agent’ is asking for a ridiculous amount of money.

“The fact the club is potentially facing liquidation is due to the administrator’s failure to appreciate the consequences of first insulting, offending and then picking a quite unnecessary fight with the club’s secure creditors.

“We think the administrator is still treating Kanu as an imbecile by making a ridiculous compromise proposal that he should simply give up his entitlement and walk away, while the administrator’s firm receives large fees for negotiating such a smart deal.

Okoronkwo also added that despite being made out to be a villain in the press, Kanu is willing to compromise with the club on monies owed to him – so long as guarantees can be made that Pompey's future will be secured.

He added: “To the contrary, Kanu who has remained patient and accommodating since 2006, is willing to compromise significantly by a combination of waiving/deferring his entitlement provided he is certain the club will actually be saved and there will be an upside at some date in the future.

“Absent such a proposal, then the administrator must admit responsibility to the club’s fans for liquidating their club whether on August 10, 2012, or at any other date. He must refrain from blaming anyone else.”

David Norris and Luke Varney have both agreed compromise deals during the last week, both joining Championship side Leeds United – joining former Blues, goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown and ex-captain Jason Pearce.

Erik Huseklepp is also due to re-sign for Brann today, after the club reached a 'verbal agreement' with the Norwegian forward's former club Bari, over compensation owed to them.

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