The most hated club in football? Who cares! Just give us our 15 points back...NOW!

The arbitration hearing into the validity of the 15 point deduction handed out to Leeds United finally swung into action in London today. The three-man independent tribunal is expected to reach a decision by the weekend, and already shockwaves are being felt throughout the footballing community.

Should the Football League be found to have acted in breach of the law the Whites could have all of their points returned, catapulting them into the automatic promotion places, and pushing many noses out of joint in the process.

Already rival teams are using the situation as a vehicle by which to vent their hatred of the club. Swansea City, who arrogantly celebrated 'promotion' at the weekend, may well have begun their party too early. Manager Roberto Martinez weighed into the 'Leeds United' debate spouting: 'I think they may get some points back. But it would be unfair from a football point of view if their position in the table suddenly changed and, if I’m honest, I can’t see that happening. Leeds are in a play-off position and I think they should stay in a play-off position. If anything else happens you won’t have heard the last of it because teams like Tranmere, Southend, Nottingham Forest, Doncaster, Carlisle and ourselves will all be affected. Everyone will take their own route and it would be a massive war.'

Leyton Orient manager Martin Ling had also been looking for a fight before his side began waving the white flag in their push for promotion, stating: 'Rest assured that if we finish sixth and lose the final play-off spot to Leeds on a courtroom appeal, we'd be straight back in court and the whole episode would drag on.' Unfortunately the O's are dropping faster than a stone and seemingly now lack the stomach for the battle.

Doncaster Rovers are another club experiencing 'squeaky-bum time' at the thought of Leeds being given back the points which are rightfully theirs, Dons Chief Executive Dave Morris saying: 'If Leeds are given all 15 points back we would have to look at the situation, as all the other clubs who have a chance of promotion will do. We would review our position then and at this stage are not sure what our options will be. Leeds agreed not to appeal against the 15-point deduction, but have gone ahead and done it.'

Should the arbitration hearing go against Leeds, a new and dangerous precedent will have been set. Recently both Luton Town and AFC Bournemouth have failed to exit administration with a CVA in place. Therefore both teams would begin next season, possibly in League 2, on minus 15 points, and in very grave danger of dropping out of the league altogether. Should that be the case few in Leeds will shed a tear. After all, both clubs were part of the Kangaroo Court which tried to strangle the life out of United earlier in the season. I wonder which way the two clubs would vote now?