Leeds Expose Loophole In Loan Deals

A few questions have arisen today about one of our nearest relegation rivals Leeds United, as Friday night's game against Preston North End saw them include six loan players in their squad.

Leeds beat Preston thanks to an injury time goal from Northern Ireland striker David Healy but questions were asked today about whether or not Leeds had fielded too many loan players. Earlier in the season, Leeds received a fine for fielding six loan players, and although they did that against Preston, there will be no repercussions.

This is down to a loophole in the loan market. FA Rules state that an English team can field no more than five players on loan from English clubs, and that is where the loophole lies.

On Friday, Leeds fielded Lubomir Michalik, Michael Gray, Radostin Kishishev, Graham Stack and Jemal Johnson, all of whom are loaned from another English club. Their sixth loan player, keeper Casper Ankergren is on loan from Norwegian side Brondby.

In the case of the goalkeeper, as well as midfielder Alan Thompson who is on loan from Celtic, these players are classed as short-term contract signings and not as loan players. This is due to the registration process that has to be adopted for players whom arrive from outside of England.

The likes of Robbie Elliott and Tor Andre Flo are also on short-term contract deals rather than loan deals. Leeds has used this loophole to maximize their chances of avoiding the drop.

Yes, Leeds did field six loan players but under FA rules, the five English players are all that counts.

Unfortunately, the City fans can stop dreaming of seeing Leeds deducted points as they haven't broken any FA rules on this occasion. Earlier in the season, when Leeds were charged for a breach of the same rule, it was interesting to see that they were only handed a fine whilst AFC Wimbledon who fielded only one ineligible player have suffered a three point deduction, although they were originally threatened with an eighteen point deduction.

In similar circumstances, Accrington Stanley was also spared a points deduction for fielding an ineligible player whilst in the FA Cup Chester were reinstated after Bury were expelled from the competition for having fielded an ineligible player.

Who says the FA doesn't favor the bigger teams?

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