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“It is better to keep your mouth shut and be assumed an idiot than to open your mouth and prove it beyond all doubt”. Advice that, sadly, Lord Mawhinney, peer of the realm and Chairman of the unfortunate Football League, unwisely choose not to take this evening.

Commenting on the tribunal decision not to reinstate the 15 points to Leeds United, Mawhinney oozed to the YEP:

“On behalf of the board and the League [surely by now the League clubs are sick of this imbecile talking on their behalf - can he do nothing on his own?], I welcome the panel’s findings in their entirety [I haven't read it all but we won so it must be very good about me - must remember to order extra copies as Xmas presents for the family]

“It has found that the actions we took were reasonable and appropriate in these unprecedented circumstances [ten clubs have gone into adminstration in recent years - three this season alone - note to Mawhinney, look up the word "unprecedented"] and that we had the power to act as we did.

“Now I believe we should draw a line under the whole process. [In case someone proposes a formal Football League inquiry into my mis-handling of this whole affair and realises I got away with murder by the skin of my teeth. Where the hell is a good spin-doctor when you need one?]

“Leeds United are a valued member of the Football League family. [You lying, hypocritical... politician, yes, politican, says it all really - would you really believe a word coming out of this man's mouth?]

We should all now get back to the business of football and enjoy the climax to what has already been an exciting season.” [Which has been ruined for all by your inadequate leadership and procrastination]

I now formerly tender my resignation as Chairman of the Football League and intend to retire to my library with a revolver and finally do the decent thing - despite being a politician. [Did he just say that or is it wishful thinking...]

Ken Bates speaking on Yorkshire Radio, gave an impromptu and biting commentary on the findings of the arbitration panel, finishing with the memorable Ian Hislop quote, “If this is justice I’m a banana!”

Bates rejected the criticism of the panel over the delay in bringing the appeal, pointing out that Leeds United had been trying to be heard since August. He said the delay was with the FA who eventually said, “sue the Football League”, which Leeds dutifully did. only to be told at the High Court that the dispute had to be settled by arbitration - who says so? The FA, under their rule K! The FA failed to mention this when Leeds first asked them to hear an appeal!

Bates pointed out that the tribunal criticised the Football League procedures, saying it is wrong that a dispute with a football club should be decided by fellow clubs because of self-interest and also that banning an appeal to an independent tribunal is wrong. This would not have happened in the Premier League as their rules allow for an appeal to an independent panel immediately. The FA board have already said that they have to have a review of their procedures.

Bates threw down a challenge, “Mawhinney and the board of the Football League should consider their positions and resign because their handling of this matter has been disgraceful.”

The football club has issued an official response to the findings of the arbitration panel - the statement was published on the offical website leedsunited.com:

The three man arbitration panel (’the panel’) appointed by The Football Association in respect of the above mentioned appeal has rejected Leeds United’s arguments that the 15 point deduction was unlawful.

In making the decision the panel took into account the detailed submissions made by both parties (Leeds United and the Football League). The panel were critical of the length of time taken by Leeds United in bringing this action to have the 15-point decision overturned. We feel this finding is unjust as the club sought to oppose the imposition of the penalty from the 30th August 2007 onwards.

We did accept the imposed condition of a 15-point penalty subject to an appeal to Member clubs. As at the 3rd August 2007 we had no option but to do so. If we had not the club would have been lost forever which was far too big a price for anyone to pay. It is galling therefore that we are criticised for the delay in bringing the appeal when it was delays by the Football League that effectively backed us into this corner in the first place. Any request by the club to alter the wording of the agreement by the Football League, as the Tribunal recognised, would have been rejected by the Board in any event so to reiterate, we had no option but to agree. It is both noticeable and significant that the panel saw fit to suggest that the Football League should look to incorporate into its Insolvency Policy clear guidelines, objectives and procedures going forward so as to make sure no other club has to be subjected to what we have had to endure if they are unable to secure the completion of a CVA.

The appeal to Member Clubs was imposed by the Football League. We have been critical of this throughout and felt justified therefore that the Tribunal felt it was unsatisfactory due to the level of vested interest in the appeal body. Leeds United will be proposing at the forthcoming Football League AGM, a change to the regulations to this effect to protect other clubs in the future.

If what football achieves out of this decision is clarity for clubs in the future (and there will undoubtedly be cases of insolvency again), then that can mitigate some of our disappointment as we want all clubs to survive through what are very difficult times.

The matter is now closed and the focus can now return to the pitch. The decision to remain in League One was always correct from the club’s perspective. If the team are now able to progress through the play-offs to the Championship, then it would be the appropriate reward for the efforts of the club’s fans and players in overcoming the penalty imposed on the club.

 

Well the day finally dawns when the arbitration panel will definitely announce their decision to return the 15 points to Leeds United - or not.

I expected a sense of anticipation, excitement, even fear but there is just one of exhaustion.

This nonsense has been so dragged out by the Board of the Football League and the odious Mawhinney, Peer of this realm (he’s not fit to be Wigan Pier), that everyone is sick of it - Leeds fans included.

The Football League clearly thought that by now the return of the points would have no bearing on the League. But how typical of the Football League to get that, as so much else, so badly wrong.

The return of the points in the middle of the season would have ruffled some feathers but with, say 15 games to go, the Football League could argue that all teams had plenty of opportunities to make up the points. By the end of the season it would have all been an unpleasant, but distant memory.

But by shirking the decision, trying to avoid a humiliating climbdown they noe have a situation where the return of points could effect the destination of the League One championship title (if Swansea lose their last game), the second automatic promotion place and/or order of the play-off semi-finals and the opponents each will face. It could even affect relegation as well as those mentioned.

If Leeds get the points returned necessary for automatic promotion then Saturday’s match against Gillingham becomes a celebration of a great season, a party for the players in front of a 39,000 sell-out crowd at Elland Road. And who would blame them if they took their foot of the pedal after the intense pressure the squad have been under all season, starting on minus 15 points, trying to avoid relegation - at least that was the belief at the beginning of the season. If Gillingham take advantage of a relaxation by Leeds and win, and Cheltenham and Bournemouth lose, the Gills stay up!

With so much at stake, a decision to return any points to Leeds United must result in the immediate resignation of Mawhinney and those on the board that voted to take the ultra vires action against Leeds United.

If Leeds get no points returned then nothing has changed for me as I never ever believed there was any route by which Ken Bates could get the 15 points back. We’ve had our day in court (or arbitration) before an impartial judge and if he rules against us then so be it - on to the play-offs and Wembley!

And so now we wait…