That fat chap who tried to flog eco-friendly birthday cards to Tesco on The Apprentice summed it up. "It was a terrible idea but you don't vote to sack yourself do you?" Indeed. And hence Leeds United's rivals said that, after due consideration, those northern Vikings deserved to be docked 15 points.

Recently, they have been griping. What if Leeds got their points back? It would be unfair. A farce. "A massive war," according to Swansea City's theatrical manager. Well, the farce has been there all season. Blame the Football League, not Leeds.

So the appeal ended with nul points. Most people seemed to think the panel would fudge it and give Leeds a few points back, but not enough to influence the top end of the table. In the end it was much ado about nothing.

What did Leeds do wrong again? They did not exit administration via a CVA. The taxman, miffed that he is no longer the top creditor while all football debts have to be paid, scuppered the escape plan. So they put it to a vote of Football League clubs. Would you League One chaps like to see your promotion rival docked 15 points? Would you League Two chaps like to play Leeds next season? Would anyone with a grudge against Ken Bates fancy a bit of revenge?

So, in addition to the 10 points for going into administration last season, Leeds got another 15. Others will duly follow. Expect Bournemouth to be playing non-league football before too long. Rotherham and Luton are also in administration. Will they be able to placate the taxman?

The tribunal criticised Leeds for taking so long to bring the action, but again the blame for that must surely lie with the Football League who generally move with the speed of a stuffed sloth on a morphine drip. It remains to be seen what they do know as a very dodgy precedent has been set.

There is also the question of whether clubs should be penalised for the follies of previous regimes. Leeds are the worst examples of the greed-is-good culture of modern football, but the crash and burn was initiated by a chairman who will be proudly going to the FA Cup Final. Funny old game.