6:31am Friday 18th April 2008
By Andy Naylor
Albion have criticised the delay in resolving the bid by play-off rivals Leeds to overturn a 15-point penalty.
Managing director Ken Brown says the saga should have been sorted out much sooner in the interests of all League One clubs.
A three-man independent arbitration panel, which has been examining the case since Wednesday, ends in London today.
Leeds claim the Football League acted outside their jurisdiction by docking the points at the start of the season as punishment for allegedly breaking competition rules on insolvency. If they are handed back five or all of the points it will have far-reaching implications for the League One promotion picture.
Brown said: "We are looking at the situation with interest. It's disappointing that, at this late stage of the season, there is still uncertainty about these matters.
"All clubs thought they knew at the start of the season what the rules were and it's unfair to everybody that nobody knows what is happening"
As things stand, Albion are four points adrift of Leeds in the final play-off spot ahead of Saturday's home game against Hartlepool.
Defender Andrew Whing said: "At the moment it's four points and that gives us a chance with three games to go.
"We'll wait and see what happens but we are preparing for a game and, whether it's four points or nine points, we still want to win. It's not going to change our mentality at all."
What do you think of Leeds' bid to overturn their points penalty?
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