Bates accuses former club of poaching players

Leeds United chairman Ken Bates has reported his former club Chelsea to the FA over alleged illegal approaches to players.

Bates, who sold Chelsea to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in 2003, said the English champions made illegal approaches to sign Tom Taiwo and Michael Wood and when attempting to sign Daniel Rose from the second division club.

"We have today reported Chelsea to the FA regarding the alleged tapping up of three of our young players, Michael Woods, Tom Taiwo and Daniel Rose," Bates said yesterday.

"We have considerable evidence to demonstrate quite clearly, without a shadow of doubt, that Chelsea behaved consistently aggressive in stealing these two players from Leeds United," Bates said.

"It is not a question of punishing Chelsea for this latest breach. It is a question of stopping them doing it in the future.

"Because of the financial strength of the owner, financial punishments alone will make no difference to them at all.

"We think, therefore, not only a financial punishment should be imposed but other punishments such as deduction of points, banning of registration of new players or suspension from European competitions would be more appropriate."

A Football Association spokes-man said: "We have some communication with Leeds but no official complaint has been registered as yet."