Wise questions motives as Leeds lose points penalty appeal

LEEDS manager Dennis Wise has questioned the motives of the majority of Football League chairmen who voted to uphold the club’s 15-point penalty for breaching rules on insolvency.

The 40-year-old Londoner and assistant Gus Poyet did little to hide their despair after 75% of the 71 rival Football League clubs voted in favour of the governing body’s unprecedented sanction.

But Wise, who carved out a playing career at the highest level on the back of an indomitable spirit, vowed Leeds will come out fighting when they launch their first season in Coca-Cola League One at Tranmere tomorrow.

Wise said: “It’s laughable. Not only have they taken my arms and legs off, now they’ve cut my b***s off as well.

“It’s just not funny at all. We’d like to know deep down the real reasons.

“If you look at the teams in our division I’m sure they probably wouldn’t have voted for us if I’m being totally honest.

“I’m disappointed with the whole thing. Minus 15 points. We have to get 106 points to win the league, 92 points to get in the play-offs and 70 points to stay up. Lovely. Thank you very much.

“It’s so disappointing, but these players, these fans are going to stick together and be strong and try to achieve it.

“So we’ve got to fight against it, pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and get on with it.”

In a statement, Leeds said: ‘‘We are amazed by the perverse outcome of Thursday’s meeting of Football League clubs.

‘‘The club is considering its options but in the meantime will be concentrating on starting its promotion campaign at Tranmere on Saturday.’’