United and the Football League have agreed to stage the review of the club's 15-point penalty next month, less than three weeks before the end of the League One season.

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The independent tribunal will rule on the validity of the punishment handed down to Leeds shortly after their game at home to Carlisle United on April 12. The Elland Road club are due to round off their campaign with subsequent matches against Millwall, Yeovil Town and Gillingham, bringing the season to a close on May 3.

United are anxious to see the matter resolved before the end of the term to prevent any belated alterations to the final League One table were they to secure the return of some or all of their deducted points.

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Chairman Ken Bates agreed to independent arbitration against the Football League last week after the League's board made the offer as an alternative to a hearing in the High Court.

United served the League with a writ on February 5 having decided to sue the organisation over the loss of their 15 points, and the club were preparing for a judicial review when the offer of arbitration arrived unexpectedly from the League last Tuesday.

Bates at first insisted that he would only agree to the proposal if the arbitration tribunal was staged in public, but Leeds accepted a private and confidential hearing on Friday, insisting they were doing so "under duress".

Bates believed the Football League would drag the case beyond the end of the season if he refused to take part in independent arbitration, and United's chairman has not confirmed whether his involvement in next month's review will prevent him from mounting further legal action against the League.
Leeds were deducted 15 points in August for what the Football League saw as a breach of their insolvency policy. The club exited administration last summer without an approved Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) as required by League rules.

United claim the penalty was unfair and unjustified, and remain hopeful of overturning the deduction next month.

A decision in their favour could drastically alter the League one table which currently shows Leeds in eighth position, 12 points behind second place and automatic promotion.

The arbitration panel will consist of three members, with United and the Football League both entitled to select one representative.

The League's offer last week came with the promise that the independent tribunal will be chaired by a Court of Appeal judge.