Post by Taxigirl on Nov 27, 2003 18:15:37 GMT
Class Picture ;D
Leeds must resolve their financial uncertainty by May - or risk starting next season with a 10-point deficit in the event of relegation.
The Yorkshire club's admission this week that administration was possible has alerted Football League officials.
Leeds - bottom of the Premiership - know that a new rule in the Nationwide League punishes any club in administration with a 10-point penalty.
The Football League told this website that Leeds, if relegated, would only escape the punishment if they go into administration before May.
The fresh blow comes on the same day that the club learned winger Lamine Sakho will be missing for a month with a cracked rib.
But with the prospect of relegation looming large, a major points deduction has highlighted Leeds' plight.
"It would depend on when they went into administration," a Football League spokesman told this website.
"If it was before May, it's unlikely that Leeds would have to start with a deduction.
"But if it happened after May, and they were relegated, Leeds would then be under the Football League's jurisdiction and would start on minus 10 points."
The Premier League currently has no rules in place to cover the area of a club going into administration.
The club - who have lost the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Lee Bowyer, Jonathan Woodgate and Robbie Keane - could also be forced to sell their remaining stars for cut-price fees.
If a club falls into administration, control of its assets become the responsibility of the administrators who are likely to be willing to listen to offers during the transfer windows.
Prized players - including strikers Alan Smith and Mark Viduka and goalkeeper Paul Robinson - could be transferred for a fraction of their market value.