Play-offs chaos threatened as Leeds case looks set to drag on

A three-man panel deciding whether Leeds were unfairly penalised by the Football League over their administration strategy might not rule until May 19. That would be 16 days after the last League game is played and at least three days after the play-off semi-finals are scheduled to have been completed.

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Walsall chairman Jeff Bonser branded the prospect 'totally unworkable' and Swansea manager Robert Martinez predicted 'a massive war' if top-six clubs were suddenly leapfrogged late by Leeds.

Leeds' case enters its third day of arbitration on Friday in London, with observers expecting an announcement to be delayed until Monday to ease Millwall's worries over Saturday's game with the Yorkshire side.

But Sir Philip Otton, chairing the panel, said the hearing would continue into next week — with a decision due within three or four weeks, even though the regular season is scheduled to end on May 3.

If Leeds succeeded in regaining some or all of the points they lost, it could trigger a change in the play-off positions after the semi-finals have taken place — or even cost a rival club automatic promotion.

Leeds are currently in sixth spot, with Walsall, Brighton and Tranmere hot on their heels. Any could pip Leeds to the last play-off berth only to find themselves out in the cold if the panel rules for Leeds.

Even leaders Swansea, ostensibly promoted already, would be under threat if Leeds won their last three matches and had points returned, and there is a clear threat of aggrieved clubs going to law.

Martinez warned: 'Everyone could take their own route. It would be a massive war. I think they may get some points back but it would be unfair from a football point of view if their position in the table suddenly changed.

'Leeds are in a play-off position and should stay in a play-off position. If anything else happens, you won't have heard the last of it. Teams like Tranmere, Southend, Forest, Doncaster and Carlisle will be affected.'

Bonser reacted with incredulity that the fate of several teams — including his Walsall — might not be decided until after the end of the season, never mind a week before the play-off final at Wembley.

He said: 'It beggars belief. Have they thought about this? Clubs have memorabilia, special shirts and all kinds of expenses for Wembley. You cannot make a decision like this after the season ends.

'What about a club that has taken an automatic promotion place and will already, by May 19, be recruiting players on Championship wages, far higher than in this league, only to be told they're not up?

'It's a totally unworkable idea. I can't see how you can decide after May 3. The quicker a decision is made, the better for everybody. If not, I think a lot of clubs would be consulting their lawyers.'

Leeds officials are bound by a confidentiality agreement until a decision is announced. But chairman Ken Bates is confident of overturning the unprecedented penalty imposed last summer.