LONDON (AFP) - Players at fallen English giants Leeds United have not been paid for nearly six weeks as a result of the ongoing saga surrounding the club's ownership, according to the players trade union.

Ken Bates placed Leeds in administration on May 4 with debts of 35 million pounds and won the race to buy back the club on July 11 and regain control at Elland Road.

But administrators KPMG's decision to sell the club to Bates for an undisclosed sum in preference to other interested parties without the need for a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) has raised concerns with the Football League.

The League has asked KPMG for further details of the sale and has yet to grant the new company - Leeds United Football Club Limited - League membership.

Most of the League One club's players agreed to a wage deferral in May after Leeds went into administration, but it was hoped Bates' buyback of the club would ensure no further problems.

Professional Footballers Association (PFA) representative Mick McGuire said: "It's an absolute mess and it needs to be resolved urgently because the players are reaching the end of their tethers.

There are funds around so there needs to be some common sense to make sure the players get their wages.

"It's getting on for six weeks now and you cannot expect players to honour the terms of their contract when they're not being paid."