Leeds set to hear points verdict

Leeds points appeal unsuccessful

McAllister's side head for the play-offs after Thursday's verdict

Leeds United have failed in their bid to claim back the 15 points they were deducted by the Football League.

The decision by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators means Leeds will not win automatic promotion from League One, though they are in the play-offs.

An independent three-man arbitration reached its verdict behind closed doors in London, ruling the League had not acted unfairly when docking the points.

The penalty was a punishment for breaking competition insolvency rules.

Interview: Leeds striker Dougie Freedman's reaction

606: DEBATE A footballing crime should receive a footballing punishment (docking points) - a financial crime should be given a financial punishment Boilerbill

Leeds had already been docked 10 points for entering administration at the end of last season, while still in the Championship - although they were virtually guaranteed to be relegated anyway by then.

The Yorkshire club felt the additional penalty during the current campaign had been unduly harsh.

Any return of points would have upset Leeds' League One promotion rivals, with Doncaster and Carlisle likely to have taken legal action - but the failure of the appeal means that leaders Swansea are confirmed as champions.

Leeds chairman Ken Bates confirmed he would accept the tribunal's findings, but was aggrieved at its criticism of Leeds for delays in bringing their action.

A club statement said: "We feel this finding is unjust as the club sought to oppose the imposition of the penalty from 30 August 2007 onwards.

LEAGUE ONE TABLE: POINTS (GD) 1 Swansea 89 (+39) 2 Doncaster 80 (+25) _______________________ 3 Nottm Forest 79 (+31) 4 Carlisle 79 (+18) 5 Southend 75 (+15) 6 Leeds 73 (+33) All teams have played 45 games

"We did accept the imposed condition of a 15-point penalty subject to an appeal to member clubs.

"As at 3 August 2007 we had no option but to do so. If we had not the club would have been lost forever, which was far too big a price for anyone to pay.

"It is galling that we are criticised for the delay in bringing the appeal, when it was delays by the Football League that effectively backed us into this corner."

The statement continued: "If what football achieves out of this is clarity for clubs in the future then that can mitigate some of our disappointment as we want all clubs to survive through what are very difficult times.

"The matter is now closed and the focus can return to the pitch.

"If the team are now able to progress through the play-offs to the Championship then it would be the appropriate reward for the efforts of the club's fans and players in overcoming the penalty imposed on the club."

The panel has found that the actions we took were reasonable and appropriate in these unprecedented circumstances Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney

Meanwhile, Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney said: "On behalf of the board and the League, I welcome the panel's findings in their entirety.

"It has found that the actions we took were reasonable and appropriate in these unprecedented circumstances and that we had the power to act as we did.

"Now I believe we should draw a line under the whole process. Leeds United are a valued member of the Football League family.

"We should all now get back to the business of football and enjoy the climax to what has already been an exciting season."

Leeds were fifth when previous boss Dennis Wise was recruited by Newcastle United to be their executive director of football.

Former Leeds favourite Gary McAllister replaced him, and the team booked a play-off spot last Friday with a 1-0 win over Yeovil.

 

 

Leeds set to hear points verdict

McAllister's side have already secured their play-off place

Leeds will find out the result of their appeal against their 15-point deduction by the Football League on Thursday at 1700 BST.

A three-man arbitration panel will make the announcement at the Offices of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

If the panel find the penalty unlawful, they could reinstate the points docked for breaching the rules on insolvency.

Leeds have sealed a League One play-off spot but if all the points are returned they would go up automatically.

LEAGUE ONE TABLE: P-GD-PTS 1 Swansea 45-39-892 Doncaster 25-25-803 Nottm For 45-31-794 Carlisle 45-18-795 Southend 45-15-756 Leeds 45-33-73

Another option could see the panel return a proportion of the lost points, with five being the most likely added to Leeds' current total.

The Elland Road club are demanding a maximum return of points as they believe the 15-point sanction placed on them by the Football League to be unlawful.

They had already been docked 10 points for originally entering administration at the end of last season while still in the Championship, so in total they have been docked 25 points.

Any return of points would upset Leeds' League One promotion rivals, with Doncaster and Carlisle already hinting they would take legal action if this were the case.

606: DEBATE Have your say on the timing of the Leeds ruling

As for leaders Swansea, they will be confirmed as champions if Leeds get back 12 points or fewer.

The verdict could also cause complications for the League One play-offs, which are due to begin on 9 May.