12 Feb 2008Leeds launch 15-point appeal

League One outfit Leeds United have lodged a complaint against the Football League in the High Court.

The club is questioning the league's right to deduct it 15 points for breaking insolvency laws.

Leeds owed HM Revenue & Customs £7.7 million before going into administration.

Chairman Ken Bates then led a consortium to re-buy the club, promising to pay just £1.8 million in payments.

It effectively meant that Bates wrote off almost £6 million but now Leeds want their 15-point deduction overturned in the courts.

If they win, it will have wide-ranging implications, not least that the club would now be sitting in second place in the league and in a prime spot for promotion.

Further to this, the league will feel that it has been left impotent when it comes to clubs writing off debts.

Shaun Harvey, Leeds United chief executive, said that the club wants the issue to be resolved as quickly as possible.

"We have now issued proceedings in the high court against the Football League, asking the court whether their decision was in accordance with their own regulations," he commented.

"We're also asking them to do that very quickly. The end of the season is on May 3rd and we've urged that the high court's decision is made public before that date.

"We don't want any play-off issues, promotion or relegation issues dragging on because we don't think that would be fair. But we are fully committed to regaining the 15 points," continued Mr Harvey.

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