Carlisle boss John Ward believes the controversy surrounding Leeds' bid to overturn a 15-point penalty is "very embarrassing" for football.An arbitration hearing got underway behind closed doors in London on Wednesday where Leeds' lawyers are attempting to show the Football League acted outside their jurisdiction when docking the points at the start of this season.

If the sanction, imposed as punishment for allegedly breaking competition rules on insolvency, is overturned and Leeds are given all their points back, the consequences in League One could be far-reaching.

Leeds would be thrust into the second automatic promotion place at the expense of Carlisle with three games remaining, while several other clubs who could be affected also face an anxious wait for the verdict.

"It would put the whole game into some kind of controversy and I would be as confused as anybody," Ward told the Carlisle News & Star. "Why has it taken so long and then come in right at the death of the season? I think it's very embarrassing for my profession, and I'm very proud of my profession."

He added: "I think they will get something back, maybe five points, and it will be an appeasement in a way - which I wouldn't be too comfortable with. I'm not sure that's correct because even if it doesn't affect us, it affects a lot of other people and in terms of the game I'm not sure that would be correct."

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