An independent tribunal to consider the validity of a 15-point penalty imposed on Leeds United by the Football League starts behind closed doors in London today.
The club's lawyers will seek to convince a three-man panel that the league acted outside its jurisdiction when it decided to dock the points at the start of this season as punishment for allegedly breaking competition rules on insolvency.
If the sanction is overturned and Leeds are given all their points back, the consequences in Coca-Cola League 1 could be far-reaching. Leeds would be thrust into the second automatic promotion place at the expense of Carlisle United with three games remaining and several clubs, Doncaster Rovers among them, have already threatened legal action.
The league's sanction will be reviewed by a three-man panel, comprising Sir Philip Otton, a retired High Court judge, Peter Leaver, the former Premier League chief executive, and Peter Cadman, an experienced lawyer.
The tribunal could last for up to three days and the ruling is expected to be made public before the Yorkshire club's League 1 game at Millwall on Saturday.
Leeds were deducted 15 points before the start of this season for failing to exit administration via a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). A majority of more than 75% of fellow Football League clubs voted to uphold the sanction.
Ken Bates, the Leeds chairman, had been forced to put the club in the hands of administrators last May due to debts of around £35m.
Leeds have denied any wrongdoing and agreed to an arbitration hearing after initially serving the Football League with a High Court writ.
Should the tribunal uphold the League's 15-point penalty on Leeds, Bournemouth and Luton Town could start next season with a similar handicap after both recently failed to exit administration via a CVA.
Leeds, who are managed by former Scotland captain Gary McAllister, currently occupy the final play-off spot, but last night suffered their first defeat in seven matches, losing 1-0 to Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield.
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