Leeds confirm FA snub

Whites without FA privileges

By James Pearson   Last updated: 7th September 2007

Elland Road Leeds United stadium

Leeds: Non FA members

Leeds United have confirmed they are not currently full members of The Football Association due to unpaid debts.

The FA are yet to transfer full membership to The Whites as the West Yorkshire outfit have not paid all non-football creditors.

Leeds have stated the collapse of the Company Voluntary Arrangement due to HM Revenue & Customs' legal challenge over Ken Bates' bid to buy back the club was responsible for delays in paying up.

The Elland Road outfit have accepted missing out on certain FA privileges, although they do not expect to be hindered in anyway for being without membership.

"The club has made an application to The FA to transfer full membership following administration," read a statement on the club's official website.

"The Football Association have not yet approved this request as we have been unable to demonstrate that all non-football creditors have been satisfied.

"All monies owed to other football clubs and members of the football family have been met in full. The reason that non-football creditors have not yet been satisfied is that the CVA was not completed due to the stance of the HMRC.

"The club would prefer to be a full member of the FA, but it is also comfortable that not being a member will not prevent us from doing anything we need to do."

The FA have confirmed Leeds have lost their privileges over unpaid debts to non-football creditors.

"Following Thursday's FA Council meeting, Leeds have lost their membership of the FA," read a statement on The FA's website.

"This means that Leeds United will not be able to vote at the AGM of FA shareholders, which approves any changes to the FA's constitutional structure. They have also lost their ticket privileges.

"Membership was withdrawn as the new company running the club had not satisfied non-football creditors in accordance with FA Rules. Football creditors have been satisfied in full however."