FA chiefs reject Leeds' inquiry call
Leeds are taking legal advice after being told by the Football
Association that there will be no further inquiry into their
15-point penalty.
United were handed the punishment last month after a turbulent
summer which saw them enter administration until Ken Bates'
controversial deal to buy back the club.
The club's initial appeal against the deduction was rejected at a
meeting of all Football League chairmen before the season started,
but they had hoped they would be given the chance to have their
case heard by an independent review panel.
But on Thursday night they received notification that the FA do not
feel it is right to carry on appealing.
A statement on the club's website read: "Leeds United have been
informed by the Football Association that they do not believe it
appropriate for there to be any further inquiry into the decision
and the process adopted by the Football League surrounding the
club's 15-point deduction."
Chief executive Shaun Harvey added: "We are amazed that the
Football Association do not feel it is appropriate to intervene in
a matter which we believe is fundamentally wrong and sets a
dangerous precedent for the future.
"We will fully reflect on this surprising decision and are taking
the advice of our legal team. We will not be making any further
comment at this time."
United, who were deducted 10 points in May after going into
administration, were hit with the further penalty last month when
they were handed their Football League share.
They have, however, already wiped out the entire deduction after
winning their first seven League One games and sit on six points as
they look to bounce straight back into the Championship under
manager Dennis Wise.
