Login: Not a member? Register free!

Leeds ARTICLES

Leeds United Remain Tight Lipped Over Claims

01st May 2008

Leeds United refused to comment on allegations of breaking Football Association rules on confidentiality.

The claims relate to letter about their arbitration hearing against their 15-point penalty.

The chairman of the tribunal panel Sir Philip Otton was considering Leeds United challenge against the 15-point penalty when the claim of a confidentiality breach.

The hearing had started on Wednesday 23rd April with final submissions from both Leeds United and the Football League due on Monday the 28th April.

However the panel is now investigating a letter sent to other Football league clubs in March by the club’s Chief Executive Shaun Harvey.

They are making the decision whether Shaun Harvey has breached FA rule with the contents of the letter.

Claims are that the letter stated the argument, which Leeds United planned to present to the arbitration hearing.

The report stipulates that the letter in question may be in breach of FA Rule K6.

The rule states that confidentiality should surround all arbitration cases.

Nevertheless Leeds United state that the argument was already publicly known before the letter was sent.

Furthermore the argument had been submitted to the High Court of Justice in February, so it was already in the public domain before the letter was even sent.

The panel have agreed to return with a decision on the confidentiality breach by May 1st, which is two days before the last weekend of the season.

The delay will mean that Swansea City will not be presented with the League One title after their final home game against Leyton Orient on Saturday May 3rd.

The Football League explain, ‘The panel in the hearing have committed to provide a verdict on or before May 1st and the league has been advised not to engage in any actions which might be misconstrued or viewed as pre-empting the arbitration process in any way.’

SOURCE:
Yorkshire Evening Post