LEEDS United chairman Gerald Krasner has denied that he and his directors are looking to profit personally from any takeover at Elland Road.

Sebastien Sainsbury's withdrawal has left Yorkshire businessman Norman Stubbs and his consortium as the only interested party able to rescue Leeds from administration and the deduction of ten points.

Talks are continuing with Stubbs and a deal could be struck this week.

Krasner said: "We are unanimous that this board will not stand in the way of investment and we are not looking for personal financial reward from anyone coming into the club.

"I honestly do not believe we will earn a penny from it. Sebastien Sainsbury played havoc with the club and cost us a lot of time and money.

"Since our takeover in March, 15 consortiums have approached us and most were a joke. I have personally considered the Stubbs consortium as the only serious contenders from the start and, with Mr Sainsbury out of the way, hopefully they can now move things forward."

Meanwhile, Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell was left privately seething over the penalty award that enabled Cardiff to snatch a 1-1 draw at Elland Road on Saturday.

Referee Neale Barry - who upset Chelsea and Manchester United in midweek - ruled that Leeds 'keeper Neil Sullivan impeded Richard Langley, enabling leading scorer Peter Thorne to equalise from the spot.

Blackwell said: "We don't seem to get the rub of the green in terms of decisions, that's for sure. I didn't think it was a penalty but I am not going to condemn the decision or moan about it.

"If you say anything to the referee you get criticised or fined for it. Right now I might need all the money I can get to pay the mortgage.

"We controlled the first half and played some great stuff but we knew as the pitch deteriorated the youngsters would maybe not have the physical power to compete."

Teenager Simon Walton had given Leeds a 14th-minute lead and Blackwell said: "It was a first-class quality goal. That's one defeat in seven so we are moving in the right way. The youngsters will make mistakes and we have to be big enough to accept that as part of the learning curve."

There was trouble outside the ground after the game when Leeds fans clashed with police who were trying to keep them away from Cardiff supporters. Two policemen suffered minor injuries and ten Leeds fans were arrested.

Updated: 10:44 Monday, January 17, 2005