STOCKPORT Countyés Centre of Excellence manager Mick Wiblin will be keeping a close eye on further developments after Leeds United chairman Ken Bates made a formal complaint to the Football League over three alleged illegal approaches by Chelsea.

The League referred the complaint to the Football Association, as it involves a Premier League club, after Leeds owner Bates claimed the Premiership champions signed youngsters Michael Woods and Tom Taiwo after making illegal approaches.

He added that Chelsea failed in their attempts to sign a third teenager, Danny Rose.

Wiblin, and County boss Jim Gannon, are watching the Bates situation because they too have reported an unnamed Premiership club for a similar alleged étapping-upé offence involving two Hatters youngsters.

Wiblin said: "We are monitoring the Leeds complaint closely because we have experienced similar situations at Stockport County.

"Ken Bates is quite rightly seething about the problem he has had with Chelsea.

"Some Premiership clubs think they can ride roughshod over Football League clubs like us."

The FA will now discuss the situation with both leagues in a bid to establish the best way to proceed with the complaint.

Approach complaints like this are dealt with under competition rules, which is why Coca-Cola Championship club Leeds sent their official complaint to the Football League.

But Chelsea, a Premier League club, are accused - and so the Football League has to refer the case to the FA.

Between them, the three organisations must decide how to deal with the question of compensation due to Leeds for Woods and Taiwo.

Bates has already rejected a é200,000 offer from Chelsea, calling it éinsultingé.

Should Chelsea be found guilty of any wrongdoing, Bates is clear on how he wants the authorities to react.

He said: "Because of the financial strength of Chelseaés owner Roman Abramovich, financial punishments will make no difference to the club at all.

"We feel deduction of points, banning of registration of new players and suspension from European competition would be more appropriate.

"There are rules and if you refuse, consistently, to play by the rules, why should you be allowed to play in those competitions?"

Premiership scouts regularly check out Countyés talent at Centre of Excellence level.

Last year Hattersé kid Harry Worley moved to Chelsea, with County receiving an initial é150,000 in compensation from the Stamford Bridge giants.

Tweet