The players currently under investigation by the Spanish Football Association are Brazilian midfielder Emerson, Argentinian Aldo Pedro Duscher, Cameroon goalkeeper Jacques Songo'o and Angola-born Helder.

But Uefa say they have no choice but to accept a player's nationality once it has been declared to them by a relevant football association, so cannot impose any retrospective punishment on Deportivo.

The only action which can be taken is for the players concerned to be withdrawn from the squad, which means Emerson, Helder, Songo'o and Duscher may not yet figure against Leeds.

Uefa director of communications Mike Lee said: "The weekend press report relating to the position of Deportivo La Coruna is inaccurate.

"The results achieved by the club in the Uefa Champions League are not in question. Uefa is not considering removing them from the competition.

"The eligibility of players for our club competitions is a matter for the national football associations who decide whether someone is eligible to play.

"In addition, Uefa has no rules governing the nationality of players following the Bosman judgment.

"Therefore we have no reason to call into question the performance and continued participation of Deportivo."

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale also slammed the report as "nonsense" before adding: "We are preparing for the tie in normal way and we want to get through to the semi-finals by beating Deportivo."