Leeds chairman Ken Bates has told Setanta Sports News that he feels the Yorkshire club have had a fair hearing in the independent tribunal to decide if the 15 points docked from them at the start of the season will be reinstated.
The League One side are awaiting the results of the independent hearing which are due at 5pm on Thursday, and there has been talk that the other teams in the division will apply for an injunction if the club’s points are restored.
However, Bates dismissed such speculation and called the rest of the teams in the league ‘prejudiced’ after they failed to object to the docking in the first place.
“It’s hot air,” bates told Setanta Sports News when asked about the reported plans for an injunction should Leeds be successful.
“Of course they are bound to be upset. But on the other hand they’re only upset if we get our points back because of the dirty tricks they played in the first place.
“They’re all prejudiced. They all had a vested interest in us losing those 15 points, how can that be justice?”
Bates also said he placed the blame at the door of The FA and the Football League for the length of time it has taken to deal with the matter.
“Yes, and the Football Association because we wanted an independent review and The FA took four months to say no,” he said. “The Football League said ‘let’s have an independent tribunal’, and they could have said that in September.
“If you go to The Premier League, if there’s a dispute between them and a club they immediately put it to an independent tribunal, and an example of that is West Ham.
“We are proposing rule changes so no other club has to go through this again.”
And when asked if he felt the hearing had been fair, Bates was short and sweet with answer.
“Oh yes,” he replied. “Their questions to both sides were very piercing and to the point.”_________________
Always remember to forget the troubles that pass your way; BUT NEVER forget the blessings that come each day.
