Leeds lose points appeal

Whites must start season with 15-point deduction

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 9th August 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Leeds lose points appeal

Wise: Aiming for 105 points

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Leeds have lost their appeal against the Football League's decision to dock them 15 points.

The Yorkshire club were granted their Football League share late last week, enabling them to start the new League One season against Tranmere this weekend.

They were told they must accept a 15-point penalty in order to take their place in the division but immediately lodged an appeal.

Chairman Ken Bates had been hoping the Football League would agree to a compromise and cut the deficit, but the board has stood its ground.

Overwhelming

"Leeds United presented their appeal and why they thought the board was wrong," Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney told Sky Sports News.

"We then had a vote, in which the league overwhelmingly endorsed the decision that there should be a sanction.

"In a second vote, the league then overwhelmingly endorsed the decision that the sanction should be 15 points.

"If you want to know what overwhelmingly means, it means in both cases the vote was over 75 per cent."

Leeds must therefore start the season 15 points in arrears and facing a huge challenge to earn promotion back to the Championship.

Dennis Wise has said his side will need to earn 105 points to win League One.

Comments (65)

Chris Payne (Leeds United fan) says...

I entered Leeds as my Team & Football as my sport, this used to be the case, last season I threw away 15 Leeds United shirts dating back to 1972 when we won the cup against Arsenal, I am disillusioned by the game in general, there is no loyalty from players, managers, chairmen or even owners, the bigger the cheque the faster they run towards it. The players that bailed out of Leeds when trouble became apparent was shameful, most of these players went on to premiership clubs & some remain, surely if they had all knuckled down & pulled together the fate of Leeds could have been so different. Points deducted, well Mr Bates & Co spotted the loop hole & tried to exploit it to no avail, nothing like foresight is there Mr Bates? look at the mess made before this season even rolls the 1st ball from the spot. As for Leeds United or any other team, all of you Football Fans out there it could be you next - with a little mis-management.

Posted 14:11 10th August 2007

Richard Holmes (Aston Villa fan) says...

Is it me, or do you think it is time that Leeds Utd supporters stopped being punished, they have took everything on the chin and still stood by their club. No matter what club you support it appears that the FA are doing as much as they can to destroy one of the top 10 clubs in the country? Goes to show in football doesn't it, West Ham are not deducted points over Tevez because it would be unfair on the fans, what about leeds? Unfortunately they are outside the M25 circular?

Posted 11:59 10th August 2007

Ryan Howden (Leeds United fan) says...

Yes We Have Been Deducted 15 Points!!! Yes The Football League is Corrupt!!!!! Lets Close Everyones Mouths By Building on it and Win The League and let everyone be talking about the leeds united who came back jumped straight back in and worked hard 2 get promotion Back to where we belong not the team who got relegated and went into admin and started got deducted 15 points. Lets Stand up and Sing Proud Marching On Together!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 11:21 10th August 2007

Joe Sheridan (Leeds United fan) says...

If our ambition was to win the league, then even with a 15 point deduction we should be capable of finishing at least 6th. It is likely that there will be more than 15 pointrs between 1st and 6th. If we are good enough, then all is possible. Go for it Dennis.

Posted 10:20 10th August 2007

Alan Pickard (Leeds United fan) says...

I am saddened (as a supporter since the early 70s) to witness the goings on at Leeds. I cannot understand all this "get the Chelsea out of Leeds" They beat us in a cup final replay, that's all. Everybody must get behind the club now and stop all this in fighting. I bet Denis & Gus wished that they had stayed at Swindon

Posted 05:56 10th August 2007

S Gill (Arsenal fan) says...

Peter Ridsdale,David O'Leary. are to blame for this not Ken Bates or D Wise them 2 have tryed there hardest to turn the club around without leeds fans support plus i must admit the F.A hvean't given leeds a break they have been punished enough, this point reduction is stupid the F.A are killing the beautifull game, they should just leave leeds alone and give them a chance to rebuild, i hope leeds make it back to premaship 1day it is a legnedery club this from a arsenal fan

Posted 01:27 10th August 2007

Stuart Robinson (Nottingham Forest fan) says...

Unfortunately Leeds seem to have incredibly harsh luck with chairmen. Under Ridsdale they spent millions that they didn't have and were nearly ruined. When Bates stepped in anyone could have guessed there was trouble ahead. Shrewd businessman or scheming cheat? The fans will have to get used to it because as long as Bates and the appalling thug Dennis Wise are at the helm then things will only get worse. As for the points deduction, whether or not they were only exposing a loophole, the rules are there to stop clubs from going into administration. It would hardly have been fair on other clubs who have suffered from deductions.

Posted 23:30 9th August 2007

Mick Colman (Sunderland fan) says...

As a SAFC fan I naturally dont like Leeds. I thought it was wrong that Leeds were allowed to go into admin when they were already relegated thereby losing the 10 points when it didnt matter. I think that they should have lost 10 points from this coming season , I say give them 5 points back.

Posted 23:04 9th August 2007

Bob Carter (Northampton Town fan) says...

perhaps leeds now know what it feels like, us small clubs in the lower leagues,always get kicked by the big boys ....what comes round

Posted 22:27 9th August 2007

Dean Krol (Leeds United fan) says...

How typical to see a Bradford City fan cheering on the FA, City have been under our shodow since football began and they always will be, jealous small minded and green with envy. It would have been a different story had Bradford have been in the same position, they still moan about an offside flag that failed to go up 10 years ago. The decision by the FA is wrong plain and simple, no matter what club you support, they have punished the fans for doing absolutely nothing what kind of numpties are in charge there? My guess? Bradford City fans.

Posted 22:27 9th August 2007

Alex Hogg (Leeds United fan) says...

Where is the sense in asking the chairmen of rival football clubs in league 1 whether they think the penalty imposed on Leeds is fair? Call me synical but other clubs only gain from having the bottom place of the table occupied by the largest team in the league; so why would they vote against it, fair or not? In my eyes a 15 point deduction is truely disgracefull, especially having already been deducted 10 at the end of last season.

Posted 21:36 9th August 2007

John Porter says...

Perhaps all you football fans who are slating Ken Bates and Leeds United about going into administration and apparently exploiting an apparent loophole should do some homework and maybe read some facts before shooting off about things you obviously know nothing about. Without administration there would have been no Leeds United today and no big pay days for all you other division one clubs. No trips to Leeds the party capital of the UK and no giants for you all to beat (you wish). What, never heard of optimism??? All my best to the staff, players and mostly to Ken Bates. I remember the journey he took Chelsea on and hope he can do the same with us.

Posted 21:25 9th August 2007

Dave Burgess (Leeds United fan) says...

It is amazing how many supporters of other clubs base their comments on ignorance, how many actually know the insolvancy laws and what actually happened. We now have the chance to stick together and put two fingures up to the League and the chairman of other clubs, if we dont we will simply go under, so no more singing about getting the chellsea out of Leeds, lets back the team, be succesful again and then Bates will surely sell us on.

Posted 20:48 9th August 2007

Dave Hewitt (Harrogate Town fan) says...

Leeds were lucky. They should have been relegated - simple as that.

Posted 20:28 9th August 2007

James Derbyfan (Derby County fan) says...

Even Derby fans feel sorry for the beleaguered leeds faithfull, but this board and previous one have just made excuses and blamed everything and everyone else for their problems. Add to that they seem incapable of acknowledging a debt is owed and at evey point try to weasel out of their responsabilities. 15 points isnt alot for all their crimes.

Posted 19:11 9th August 2007

Andy Woodhead (Rangers fan) says...

All football league chairmen should be ashamed of thamselves. They have shot themselves in the foot with this one. Leeds have been standing up for football against the inland revenue and what thanks do they get? If these chairmen have grievences surely this is not the time to act on them. I hope that they can stay in their division and get back where they belong......and hopefully get a chairman who is befitting of a great club that they once were and will be again.

Posted 18:20 9th August 2007

Mark Smith (Charlton Athletic fan) says...

What goes around, comes around. in 1984 Leeds Utd were one of a number of institutions who tried to put Charlton Athletic out of business over an unpaid installment on the Carl Harris transfer. I have no sympathy for Leeds Utd and I couldn't care less if they went even further down the leagues. In fact, I couldn't care less if they went out of business

Posted 17:14 9th August 2007

Dave Smith (Bradford City fan) says...

Who would have thought it Farsley Celtic the biggest and best club in Leeds

Posted 17:00 9th August 2007

Leeds Fan says...

Get the Chelsea OUT of Leeds... Wise and Bates should leave as they have done nothing but caused more misery to Leeds.

Posted 14:56 9th August 2007

John Moss (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

I agree with the Leeds fans, it does seem a bit harsh. Did all the Division one clubs have a vote. I have no particular feeling for Leeds, but I hope they have a great season.

Posted 14:56 9th August 2007

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