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Football League rejected Leeds United appeal
England - 10 August, 2007
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English Leeds United’s appeal against a 15-point deduction has been rejected last night (Wednesday) by the Football League (FL).
The club hoped to have their points deduction at least reduced as all the chairmen from the other 71 FL sides met at a special meeting in London.
Leeds chairman, Ken Bates, made an impassioned plea to have the sanction lifted after last week the club were handed back their share and were granted permission to play in League One.
More than 75 percent of clubs initially agreed that Leeds deserved to be punished, and that the 15-point penalty won’t be reduced, for failing to meet the FL's strict rules on insolvency.
"Leeds United presented their appeal and why they thought the board was wrong," FL chairman Lord Mawhinney told Sky Sports News. "We then had a vote which overwhelmingly endorsed the decision that there should be a sanction. In a second vote the League overwhelmingly endorsed the sanction. Overwhelmingly means the vote was over 75% in support of the board. Leeds are starting the new season in League One as a valued member of the League's football family but with a penalty of 15 points."
A statement issued by Leeds United read: "Leeds United are amazed by the perverse outcome of Thursday's meeting of Football League clubs, which defied all logic, and we believe had arisen as a result of a serious misrepresentation of fact by the board of the Football League in their presentation.
"The only winner is HM Revenue & Costume and we believe the full ramifications of Thursday's decision will adversely affect football going forward for many years.
"The club is considering its options, but in the meantime will be concentrating on starting its promotion campaign at Tranmere on Saturday."
Lord Mawhinney has stated however that the club has no right to take legal action, meaning Leeds is facing a huge challenge to earn promotion back to the Championship.
"We have an agreement with Leeds, signed by both the League and the club, that they will not take any legal action against us and we will not take any legal action against them.
"That is a standard part of the agreement that every club signs when it comes out of administration.”
The club hoped to have their points deduction at least reduced as all the chairmen from the other 71 FL sides met at a special meeting in London.
Leeds chairman, Ken Bates, made an impassioned plea to have the sanction lifted after last week the club were handed back their share and were granted permission to play in League One.
More than 75 percent of clubs initially agreed that Leeds deserved to be punished, and that the 15-point penalty won’t be reduced, for failing to meet the FL's strict rules on insolvency.
"Leeds United presented their appeal and why they thought the board was wrong," FL chairman Lord Mawhinney told Sky Sports News. "We then had a vote which overwhelmingly endorsed the decision that there should be a sanction. In a second vote the League overwhelmingly endorsed the sanction. Overwhelmingly means the vote was over 75% in support of the board. Leeds are starting the new season in League One as a valued member of the League's football family but with a penalty of 15 points."
A statement issued by Leeds United read: "Leeds United are amazed by the perverse outcome of Thursday's meeting of Football League clubs, which defied all logic, and we believe had arisen as a result of a serious misrepresentation of fact by the board of the Football League in their presentation.
"The only winner is HM Revenue & Costume and we believe the full ramifications of Thursday's decision will adversely affect football going forward for many years.
"The club is considering its options, but in the meantime will be concentrating on starting its promotion campaign at Tranmere on Saturday."
Lord Mawhinney has stated however that the club has no right to take legal action, meaning Leeds is facing a huge challenge to earn promotion back to the Championship.
"We have an agreement with Leeds, signed by both the League and the club, that they will not take any legal action against us and we will not take any legal action against them.
"That is a standard part of the agreement that every club signs when it comes out of administration.”
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