PORTSMOUTH’S turbulent season continued to unravel after the Premier League confirmed yesterday that a transfer embargo has been imposed on the beleaguered club.

In the latest astonishing development at Fratton Park, Portsmouth were handed the sanction on October 15 for failing to pay money owed to other English clubs.

Manager Paul Hart is unable to recruit any new players until further notice, though Portsmouth are confident the embargo will be lifted by the end of the week.

The Premier League reportedly blocked Hart’s attempt to complete the emergency signing of free agent Eugen Bopp on Monday because of their debts.

A Premier League statement read: ‘‘We have placed a player registration embargo on Portsmouth.

‘‘The embargo was imposed on 15 October 2009 and it means the club will be unable to bring any new players to Fratton Park until further notice.

‘‘Premier League rules allow the board to act if a club has outstanding transfer fees due to other clubs.’’ The transfers that have resulted in the restriction are believed to be Lassana Diarra’s move from Arsenal in January 2008 and Glen Johnson’s signing from Chelsea in August 2007.

Both players have since left Fratton Park, Diarra moving to Real Madrid and Johnson joining Liverpool.

The worst-case scenario would see the transfer ban extend into the January window, a time when the Premier League’s bottom-placed club will be hoping to capture much-needed reinforcements.

However, Portsmouth believe the embargo will be lifted far sooner.