Ken Bates still hasn’t given up on getting the 15 points back, but the FA are refusing to instigate a legal review.
Last week the club asked the FA to refer the case to the High Court and issued this statement "If they refuse this request, we will commence independent arbitration proceedings, in accordance with FA regulations. We shall continue to pursue this matter step by step."
But the FA have already considered this matter twice and have backed the Football League on both occasions, and they are refusing to instigate further legal proceedings. Leeds' first application was rejected by Jonathan Hall, the FA's director of governance, and second approach was turned down after being considered by the Football Regulatory Authority (FRA). The FRA is a semi-autonomous body which includes four independent members alongside members of the professional and national game. The club's request for a Commission of Inquiry was subsequently rejected by the FRA's chairman, who the FA said sought independent legal advice before taking his decision.
The FA’s statement read "The decision on whether to refer the matter to the High Court is a matter for Leeds and not the FA. The FA has previously pointed out to Leeds that if it wishes to challenge the decision of the chairman of the FRA then Leeds would have to commence arbitration proceedings against the FA, under FA Rules. In September, the club asked the FA to inquire into the Football League's decision to deduct them 15 points. The FA's director of governance did so and informed Leeds that nothing that Leeds had raised with the FA indicated that the Football League had acted improperly. The chairman of The FRA, replied to Leeds stating that there was no reason to review the Football League's handling of the case; his reply also explained in depth why he had reached that decision."
But Pappa Smurf is still undeterred, and the club have now announced they will themselves begin arbitration proceedings against the FA.