49ers Enterprises legal team to be in overdrive at Leeds United after new twists
49ers Enterprises’ legal team is set to be in overdrive in the coming months, with Leeds United involved in two legal claims amounting to around £124million, with both set to take place before the end of the year.
Firstly, Leeds made a second appeal in their case with Jean-Kevin Augustin, contesting the £24.4million salary settlement that was reached in their dispute about his 2019/20 legal dispute [AP News, 21 September].
16 November has been set as the date for the hearing by the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS], with Leeds challenging the previous decision made in favour of the striker, with the 49ers keen to resolve the issue and prevent a further £24.4million outlay.
Secondly, the club have formalised their intentions to sue Everton for £100million, alongside both Burnley and Leicester City, as they have written a letter to the Toffees’ potential new owners 777 Partners signalling their intent to mount a joint £300million legal claim [Daily Mail, 3 October].
The report claims that the three clubs involved are unhappy that charges over possible financial breaches were not brought forward last season, and that they feel the Merseyside club benefited from the delay, where a possible points deduction would have seen them relegated.
The hearing about Everton’s punishment for the alleged breaching is set to take place in front of an independent commission on 25 October, where a final decision will be made.
With both of these claims set to take place in the coming months, the legal team of 49ers Enterprises will have plenty of ground to cover, but the possibility of a £124million result in favour of the club would make a huge difference to their financial situation.
Each of the two legal claims has its own complications and will be dealt with as a matter of urgency, with the Augustin claim having dragged on for well over a year since the initial appeal was made, and the claim against Everton set to continue.
Over to the 49ers and their legal team.
In other Leeds United news, the club will wonder what went wrong after an international twist emerged.