Leeds are in the process of writing to Soho Square to ask the FA to intervene after the club's penalty, imposed by the Football League for a breach of insolvency rules, was upheld at a meeting in London on Thursday.
League chairman Lord Mawhinney has confirmed that Leeds cannot appeal to his organisation for a second time and have waived their right to mount legal action, but Bates has turned to the FA in an effort to quash the penalty.
His plea to the FA will be based on the claim that Thursday's appeal should have been heard by an independent panel, rather than a collection of United's fellow clubs and professional competitors.