Leeds reported to FL by Blackpool

Blackpool Football Club has issued the following statement about Leeds United's successful attempt to attract Simon Grayson to Elland Road.

Club Statement
Tue 23 Dec 2008
Following the statement issued on Tuesday lunchtime regarding Simon Grayson's resignation as manager of Blackpool Football Club, the board of directors would like to make the following statement.

The board of directors can confirm Steve Thompson and Tony Parkes will take of first team affairs until further notice.

The board would also like to confirm the events of the last 48 hours.

Leeds United first approached us on Sunday afternoon requesting permission to speak to Simon Grayson regarding their vacant manager's position, this approach was immediately rejected by the club. Following a meeting with Simon Grayson on Monday morning, we reiterated our position to both Simon and Leeds United and permission was once again not granted for Simon to discuss the vacancy at Elland Road. Permission was refused for a third time following a telephone conversation whereby Leeds United made the club a derisory offer of compensation. Leeds United reaffirmed their position via fax once again requesting permission to speak to Simon and gave the club a deadline on 8pm to reply to the fax. The club, via e-mail reaffirmed their position and wished Leeds every success in their search for a new manager.
On Tuesday morning, Simon Grayson via a hand delivered letter offered his resignation to the club which was immediately rejected by the board of directors. Less than an hour after the club had received Simon's offer of resignation, the Leeds Chief Executive once again contacted chairman Karl Oyston and reaffirmed their derisory of offer. The chairman once again informed Leeds that permission was not granted to speak to the manager.

At 12.15pm, the club were notified that Leeds United "had been made aware" that Simon Grayson had resigned from the club's employment and that he had accepted their offer of employment as manager and that he had signed a contract with Leeds United.
In light of the above, the board of directors have reluctantly reported Leeds United to the Football League for breaches of Football League regulations 20.1 and 20.2. In addition, the club are currently seeking advice from the Football League and the club's lawyers as to the breach of contract by Simon Grayson whose contract was not due to expire for at least another 18 months.

The board feel Leeds United have acted completely unprofessionally and underhandedly and have shown a total disregard for the rules and regulations that govern football.

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