Freddy Shepherd represented Newcastle's interest at the meeting

Premiership chairmen have decided any club who go into administration after 3 June will be deducted points.

The new rule is unlikely to affect debt-ridden Leeds United.

The Elland Road could be the first Premiership club to go into administration if they do not find a solution to their problems by Friday.

The new measure was passed at a meeting in London on thursday and the chairmen hope it will deter clubs from overspending in the future.

Scudamore said: "If a club go into adminstration and can relieve themselves of debt it gives an unfair advantage in terms of league position.

"The view of the clubs is that there should be a big disincentive for clubs to overspend and overstretch themselves - that's why there will be a nine-point sanction."

The debt-ridden Elland Road club have until 1700 GMT to raise the �5m needed to stave off the threat of administration.

Leeds players in talks

The Premiership already has the power to suspend or deduct points from clubs who enter administration.

But discussions in London decided a mandatory penalty should be introduced to send out a warning to clubs who are in financial difficulties.

There has been much debate about whether going into administration - effectively wiping out existing debts - is an easier option for clubs than dealing with cash-flow problems.

Leicester City were heavily criticised when they entered administration in October 2002 but still managed to win promotion to the top-flight at the end of the season.

It was stressed by the board this was a decision to be take absent of Leeds Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore

Top-flight chiefs have followed the example of the Football League, whose new rule will deduct 10 points from the end of the season.

Scudamore explained why the Premier League had settled on a nine-point penalty, while the Football League opted for a 10-point deduction.

He continued: "Football League teams play more games a season - 46 compared to our 38 - so 10 points in their league has a different value. Nine points is our equivalent.

"It was a split decision but it's official now in the Premier League rule book - as of today, although it won't apply until 3 June."

Scudamore said Leeds' situation played no part in the voting.

"It was stressed by the board this was a decision to be take absent of Leeds United," said Scudamore.

"It (the Leeds situation) is topical - but it had no bearing on the voting."