Leeds today turned down an offer by UEFA to hold an appeal hearing into Lee Bowyer's suspension this afternoon via the telephone.
The midfielder was last night handed a three-match ban for stamping on Valencia striker Juan Sanchez during last week's first leg of the Champions League semi-final, and will miss tonight's second leg in Spain.
The offer to hold the hearing this afternoon 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.
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