The British Speedway Promoters' Association has confirmed Coventry and Peterborough will not compete in the Elite League this season.

The move follows an ongoing dispute between the clubs and the sport's governing body dating back to November.

In a statement the BSPA said it was "disappointed to announce that it has been unable to resolve the ongoing dispute on an amicable basis".

The Panthers and Bees say they will press on with legal action.

The pair had publicised their intent to take the matter to the courts throughout the wrangle.

The BSPA and certain members are only interested in maintaining and furthering their own narrow interests Joint Peterborough and Coventry statement

Although the BSPA added that it had tabled new terms to the pair two weeks ago, which would allow them to return to the Elite League and continue their legal action.

"The BSPA made an offer to both Coventry and Peterborough on 31 January 2011 which would have seen them both resume their membership of the Elite League with immediate effect," the statement added.

"The offer would also have permitted both Coventry and Peterborough to continue with their proposed legal action, including claims for compensation if they suffer any losses. That offer was rejected.

"From the point of view of the sport it is disappointing that both Coventry and Peterborough would rather walk away from participation in the 2011 Elite League than accept an open offer to resume their membership, particularly as they could have done so without prejudice to their proposed legal action.

PETERBOROUGH PANTHERS Elite League winners: 1999, 2006 Last season: Third

"Given the proximity of the new season the BSPA has been left with no alternative but to finalise arrangements for the 2011 season without Coventry and Peterborough. In this regard the fixture list will be published shortly."

Coventry and Peterborough, who have won the Elite League title five times between them, have been fighting for an overhaul of the way speedway is run.

But their proposals for rule changes had been rejected at November's annual general meeting and again in an extraordinary general meeting in January.

COVENTRY BEES Elite League winners: 2005, 2007, 2010 Last season: Fourth, won play-offs

In a joint statement they said: "As recently as last Thursday 10 February, our solicitors had an agreement. This was agreed and confirmed by the lawyers acting for the BSPA.

"We planned to announce that we were in the Elite League and had actually formulated teams that would represent us in 2011 but the BSPA came back with a counter proposal.

"It is clear that in rejecting an independent appeals body and a 12-month rule changing moratorium the BSPA and certain members are only interested in maintaining and furthering their own narrow interests to the exclusion of all else, including the desire of the vast majority of the speedway public, in having a level playing field for all clubs, not just the favoured few."

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