Champions League: Leeds snub 'instant' Bowyer appeal hearing
Leeds have turned down an offer by Uefa to hold an appeal hearing into Lee Bowyer's suspension via the telephone.
The midfielder was handed a three-match ban for stamping on Valencia striker Juan Sanchez during the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, and will miss the second leg in Spain.
The offer to hold the hearing was made after Football Association chairman Geoff Thompson and chief executive Adam Crozier both contacted Uefa officials.
Leeds, however, decided not to take up the offer because they want chairman Peter Ridsdale and manager David O'Leary to personally represent the player and the hearing is now likely to be held later this week.
FA communications director Paul Newman said: "Adam Crozier spoke to Uefa chief executive Gerhard Aigner and following these discussions Uefa offered to hold the appeal board this afternoon.
"In the end, Leeds decided not to take up the offer."
Ridsdale explained that he felt the club would receive a fairer hearing face to face.
"Adam did speak with Gerhard over the telephone," he said.
"Uefa did offer to arrange a specially convened hearing, but only over the telephone.
"We declined because we felt it is better that a face to face meeting be held at which both David and I could represent the player.
"We thanked Uefa for their kind offer and now I am waiting to hear when the hearing will take place."
