Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has voiced his disappointment over Jonathan Woodgate's exclusion from England's squad for Wednesday's friendly with Italy.
Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson did not consider Woodgate for selection after discussions with assistant Tord Grip and FA chief executive Adam Crozier.
The disgraced 22-year-old centre-back only recently completed 100 hours of community service work following his conviction for affray after an attack on an Asian student.
He was not picked for Wednesday's game at Elland Road - with the reasoning apparently being to prevent pressure on him while ensuring the squad's World Cup preparations are not affected.
But that has annoyed Ridsdale.
"I can only hope that his omission is purely on football grounds," he told Sunday's News of the World.
"I would be very disturbed if any external influences had been brought to bear to prevent Sven-Goran Eriksson picking his best squad for the Italy game and, ultimately, for the World Cup.
"Anyone who thinks Jonathan should not be picked for England should remember he has been through the courts and he has served his sentence.
"He now ought to be free to go on and play for Leeds and England. That must happen otherwise others are adding further penalties and that's just not how the justice system operates in this country," he said.
"The bottom line is that Jonathan has fulfilled his obligation to the court through completing his community service - and he has already been banned by the FA for more than two years.
"Those people who want to see him banned for life for a misdemeanour that the courts decided was worthy of 100 hours' community service, I think their views are highly inappropriate and misguided."
AFP