Leeds lodge formal complaint

Leeds have made a formal complaint to the Football League about Chelsea's conduct in the transfer of two of their young players.

The League have referred the complaint to the Football Association, because it involves a Premier League club.

The FA will now discuss the situation with both leagues in a bid to establish the best way to proceed with the complaint.

Leeds chairman Ken Bates hit out at his old club Chelsea on Thursday when he accused them of making illegal approaches to three of his club's highly-rated schoolboys - Tom Taiwo, Michael Woods and Danny Rose.

Woods and Taiwo left Elland Road for Chelsea, but Rose decided to stay in Yorkshire.

Approach complaints like this are dealt with under competition rules, which is why Coca-Cola Championship club Leeds sent their official complaint to the Football League.

But Chelsea, a Premier League club, are accused - and so the Football League has to refer the case to the FA.

Between them, the three organisations must decide how to deal with the question of compensation due to Leeds for Woods and Taiwo.

Bates has already rejected a £200,000 offer from Chelsea, calling it "insulting".

The FA and the two leagues must also decide whether any disciplinary action should be taken against Chelsea if they are found to have broken the rules.

The complaint from Leeds accuses Chelsea of breaking Premier League rules in relation to youth development.

It also calls for an investigation into the question of illegal approaches and inducements.