Leeds United have been served with a winding-up petition for unpaid fees dating back to when the club was owned by Ken Bates.
Leeds-based law firm Ford & Warren has filed the petition for unpaid fees -- reported to be around 150,000 pounds -- on behalf of former club director Melvyn Levi. The case is scheduled to be heard at Leeds Combined Court on Jan. 13.
Bates sold Leeds to Bahrain-based investment firm Gulf Finance House Capital in December 2012 and the club changed ownership again in April this year when Italian businessman Massimo Cellino completed his takeover.
The petition has been served in relation to unpaid court fees -- a case involving Levi was struck out in 2012 with the judge ordering that Levi's fees be paid by the club.
Nick Collins, a senior partner at Ford & Warren, told BBC Radio Leeds: "This is not a dispute with Mr Cellino. This is something he has inherited from the previous ownership of the club. We bear no ill-will towards Mr Cellino and we wish him well. I genuinely hope we can resolve this amicably, but we must do what is necessary to protect our client's position.''
Leeds later released a statement angrily defending their position and threatening legal action of their own.
It read: "The club has today (Friday November 7) received a winding-up petition from solicitors' firm Ford & Warren acting on behalf of their client Mr. Melvyn Levi.
"We have been advised by legal counsel that the publication of the winding-up order to the media within seven days of its service is illegal and amounts to an abuse of process and a contempt of court.
"This activity was designed for the sole purpose of putting undue pressure on the football club. Our lawyers are demanding that the petition be immediately withdrawn, and a full apology made, else we will ask the court to dismiss the petition on Monday morning."
Leeds, currently 17th in the Championship, will bid for their first win in nine matches and their first under new head coach Neil Redfearn when they play Blackpool at home on Saturday.