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#INSERT type:image caption:Almeria, seen here in action against Barcelona, are one of six teams in danger of relegation. END# The general secretary of La Liga has said he expects the issue of whether or not Almeria are docked three points by FIFA to be resolved before the end of the season. A potential legal battle over which three teams are relegated from Spain's top flight this season looms after FIFA announced last month that Almeria were to have the points removed. World football's governing body said the punishment would be imposed for the late payment of a relatively small sum due to Danish club Aalborg in relation to the transfer of defender Michael Jakobsen in 2012. Almeria said they would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but it remains unclear when that body will hear the case. The Switzerland-based court's latest list of hearings contains a schedule running until June 2015 -- but the list does not mention the Almeria case. With six games of the Liga season remaining, Almeria are one of at least six teams involved in the relegation battle. LFP secretary general Carlos del Campo told AS the club would keep the points until a final decision is made by CAS, adding that he hoped that would happened before the season ends on May 24. "Almeria have the points they have, and are in a situation where they are appealing this supposed punishment which has been imposed," Del Campo said. "Until there is a declaration or the appeal is held, nothing can be said about them having three points more or less. "I would like it be resolved in law, and to be done at a time which does not harm the other teams also in the relegation battle. I believe it will be resolved before La Liga ends." Jakobsen initially joined Almeria on loan in 2010 and spent two years at the Estadio Juegos Mediterraneos before leaving for Copenhagen. The case appears to revolve around an interest payment of around €5,000 on the extra fee of €50,000 due to Aalborg for developing the player. Almeria president Mariano Blanco has called the FIFA punishment "unjust and disproportionate" and said the extra interest payment was made but arrived a late because it was done via international bank transfer over a weekend.
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