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Page last updated at 08:41 GMT, Thursday, 17 April 2008 09:41 UK

Doncaster believe Leeds will fail

Doncaster Rovers

Doncaster Rovers chairman John Ryan believes Leeds United will be unsuccessful in their bid to have their 15-point deduction overturned.

Ryan told the BBC: "In my opinion they will fail. If they do succeed it would be an incredibly sad day for football.

"It would actually mean that promotion could be decided in a court of law."

If Leeds have all the points returned they would climb to second in the League One table and third-placed Doncaster would drop to fourth.

"I've never known anything like this happen," Ryan said.

Ryan is also concerned that a Leeds victory in the courts would set a dangerous precedent.

"What would happen next? Would Bournemouth, Luton, Rotherham - all the other teams that have lost 10 points, take on the Football League? I think it's a nonsense."

The tribunal hearing is scheduled to last until Friday but it is not known if the verdict will be announced before Leeds' trip to Millwall on Saturday.