We've agreed to '15-point' arbitration under duress, reveals Leeds chairmain Bates

Leeds chairman Ken Bates has revealed the club have agreed "under duress" to the Football League's offer of a private arbitration hearing into their 15-point deduction.

The league's governing body made the offer earlier this week giving Leeds a chance to challenge the 15-point penalty that was imposed on the Whites in August for breaching insolvency rules.

The arbitration panel will consist of one club representative, one Football League representative and an impartial party but Bates revealed Leeds had reluctantly accepted the offer to hold the trial in private.

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"We have agreed, under duress, to arbitration in private but what have they got to hide?" Bates said.

"We believe this should be conducted in the open because people have a right to know. This is supposed to be about transparency.

"But we won't be dragging out heels - the League have delayed things over six months, and we want the matter resolved as quickly as possible."