Soccer: Leeds in line for bye into last-four

Leeds United could be handed a bye into the semi-finals of the Champions League if their quarter-final opponents, Deportivo La Coruna, are punished for passport irregularities.

UEFA has confirmed that it will be monitoring the situation closely and if the allegations are serious, appropriate action will be taken. There have been an increasing number of cases recently where foreign nationals are evading the need for a work permit by claiming European citizenship through sometimes tenuous family links.

David O'Leary's Leeds are due to play Deportivo La Coruna, the Spanish champions, in the first leg of their quarter-final tie in two weeks time. However, if allegations of passport fraud are proved correct, UEFA could throw Deportivo out of the competition.

A UEFA spokesman said: "At this stage, we have to leave our options open, but we cannot rule out the possibility of dismissing the club from the tournament. If that happens, it is possible that their next opponents, Leeds, will be allowed into the next round of the competition."