Leeds Deny Ground Allegation

Bates told the YEP: "The allegation that we've bought back the ground is absolute rubbish. The long and short of this is that we haven't bought the ground back and we don't own it. The ownership hasn't changed at all."

Elland Road and Thorp Arch were sold in 2004 to help combat serious debts in the wake of United's relegation from the Premiership, but the rent now drains an annual £2m from the club's accounts.

Leeds still have the freedom to buy back both the stadium and their training ground, but Bates recently set the cost of re-purchasing both pieces of land at £19,142,806.

Shaun Harvey, United's chief executive, said: "We do have an option to buy Elland Road and Thorp Arch back, but we have not as yet exercised that option. We still intend to do so at the earliest opportunity but the situation is as it was."