Leeds' points appeal rejected

Cuddly Ken: note to Fabio about Fabian Delph backfired badly (GETTY IMAGES)

Leeds United failed in their bid to overturn a 15-point deduction yesterday, leaving them in the promotion play-off places in League One and confirming Swansea City as champions.

Leeds were deducted 15 points for breaching insolvency rules when they went into administration after they were relegated to the third tier of English football for the first time at the end of last season.

They appealed against the sanction but the club said that the independent arbitration panel appointed by the Football Association ruled that it should stand and that there would be no further appeals.

Leeds, who were Champions League semi-finalists seven years ago, overcame the 15-point handicap to secure a play-off place with one match of the regular season remaining but had they had some or all of the docked points returned, could have been catapulted into an automatic promotion position.

The decision is also good news for Doncaster Rovers, Nottingham Forest and Carlisle, who remain in the hunt for the second automatic promotion place.