Leeds get 15 points deduction - TalkSoccer

**MUFC** · 03-08-2007, 07:15 PM

Leeds United must start the League One season with a 15-point deduction after receiving their Football League share.

The Whites have been trying to secure the share in time to begin the new campaign next weekend against Tranmere Rovers.

But in order to take up their spot in League One for the coming season, Dennis Wise's Leeds must accept a 15-point penalty.

An appeal has been lodged with the Football League, with Leeds releasing a statement to confirm the announcement.

Appeal

"We are pleased to announce that the board of the Football League Ltd have agreed to transfer the share in the Football League to Leeds United 2007 Ltd," read the statement.

"The Football League have transferred the share in 'exceptional circumstances' and have imposed a 15-point penalty for the start of the 2007/08 season.

"The club have appealed against this sanction. The timescale for the appeal is not yet known.

"The club has received an amount of criticism from supporters for not keeping them up to date with developments during what has been a very difficult time for us all.

"We appreciate this policy was difficult for fans to accept, but please be assured that this was done in the best interests of Leeds United which is justified by the return of the share.

"We are now planning the appeal and we are able to complete the squad rebuilding for the 2007/08 season, albeit with only one week to go before our first League One game at Tranmere."

**bandini** · 03-08-2007, 07:31 PM

They're obviously going to fight it, but this has to be a sick time for Leeds supporters. Wasn't long ago that things were going so well...

**Jager** · 03-08-2007, 07:43 PM

Can someone please explain to me what they did to warrant this?

**bandini** · 03-08-2007, 08:34 PM

It's my understanding that the club had gone insolvent and that Bates and his crowd bought it out and went about getting Leeds back into the league. In doing so they breached some of the league's administration laws and regulations so there is grounds for saying that they should not be allowed to play in the league based on this. They have reached a comprimise where they get the 15 point deduction and I think they have some restriction on making transfers for a while, but they get to play in the Championship this season.

They are obviously not happy about this "agreement" because they are fighting the 15 point deduction, but that's the bottom line I think.

**Evertonscouser** · 03-08-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jager

Can someone please explain to me what they did to warrant this?

I think this is what happened.

Leeds went into administration to try and clear some debt. Football league rules say any team that goes into administration will automatically recieve a 15 point penalty. Leeds took the decision to go into administration with one game left of the season, when they were already relegated. Instead of the punnishment being worthless, as Leeds couldn't stay up anyway, they have gave them it this season.

**bandini** · 03-08-2007, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evertonscouser

I think this is what happened.

Leeds went into administration to try and clear some debt. Football league rules say any team that goes into administration will automatically recieve a 15 point penalty. Leeds took the decision to go into administration with one game left of the season, when they were already relegated. Instead of the punnishment being worthless, as Leeds couldn't stay up anyway, they have gave them it this season.

I thought the 15 point penalty was decided on based on the situation. I didn't think it was a standard thing. If it is then what leg do they have to stand on in fighting this?

**Sven** · 03-08-2007, 09:38 PM

Get what they deserve.

**russe||** · 03-08-2007, 09:42 PM

Hated the club already but Bates is scum for the way he cleared Leeds debts. I'm quite pleased they got this points deduction.

NJ10 · 03-08-2007, 10:49 PM

Unbelievable, i remember the days when Leeds were a mainstay of the Premiership, look at some of the players they have had, and been forced to sell.

Martyn- Robinson- Kelly- Mills- Harte- Matteo- Woodgate- Radebe- Ferdinand- Bakke- Kewell- Bowyer- Batty- Dacourt- Wilcox- Johnson- Milner- Lennon- Keane- Fowler- Viduka- Smith- Bridges

An look at it now. Peter Ridsdale should be hanging from the Elland Road rafters for what he did to that club.

Ben_W · 04-08-2007, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evertonscouser

I think this is what happened.

Leeds went into administration to try and clear some debt. Football league rules say any team that goes into administration will automatically recieve a 15 point penalty. Leeds took the decision to go into administration with one game left of the season, when they were already relegated. Instead of the punnishment being worthless, as Leeds couldn't stay up anyway, they have gave them it this season.

This isn't to do directly with the administration punishment, as far as I'm aware; they had the 10 deducted at the end of last year just before their last game (which they needed to win 9-0 and hope other results went their way) which was a loophole but not strictly wrong as they weren't technically relegated.

Bates taking over the club and transferring it to Leeds United 2007 Ltd is the cause of this issue; each club is given a 'golden share'; basically the right to be in the league. The old Leeds United (before Bates' tinkering and legal stuff) had the share; the new on didn't and therefore they ddi not have the right to play in the league for 07/08 until the League was satisfied the takeover was legit.

I'm not entirely sure what the basis for the deduction was, but it's not a direct re-application of last year's punishment. For a start it's 5 points more than the standard for going into administration. It's to do with whatever Bates did, finding legal loopholes to reduce the debt and buy the club back from the administrators relatively cheaply.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 04-08-2007, 10:14 AM

How fucked can you get??!!I really feel sorry for their fans.

**MUFC** · 04-08-2007, 10:56 AM

i dont

**kennethlindheim** · 04-08-2007, 10:59 AM

Terrible for the fans, but the club deserve the points deduction, or at least a 10point one after cheating it last season. Things like this shouldnt go unpunished.

**dukeofdavinci** · 04-08-2007, 02:24 PM

ohh so that what it meant.so to put it simple its like a company filing for bankruptcy is it?so in a football club they go in to this administration and by this way they stay in the league even though hey have been relegated.

well to be frankly i used to hate them and by hate its real deep down kind of stuff given he fact of our rivalry, but now i pity them.its kind of sad even if they are your sworn enemy that we have to see a club wch has a long history, an old club, have to go down inn the way they did.

its unfair to the die hard fans who give everything but what they get is crappy inconsiderate men like bates who only have 1 thing in mind that is profit.

Ben_W · 04-08-2007, 02:31 PM

Bates has actually saved the club, albeit through seeking out loopholes in the law and misleading the fans in certain aspects. They would probably be no Leeds United if it wasn't for Bates. As it is they have managed to limit the damage, and whilst they are not in a great position, it could be much worse.