Bradford Bulls' appeal against their points deduction will be heard "as soon as possible," the Rugby Football League has said.

The Bulls yesterday formally announced their intention to contest the RFL's decision to dock them six points for going into administration.

Bradford will argue in front of a specially convened independent sporting sanctions panel that they had no option but to breach the game's insolvency regulations as they faced the threat of a winding-up petition.

A statement from the governing body said: "The RFL can confirm that Bradford Bulls have submitted an appeal against the points deduction handed down by the RFL board of directors as a penalty for entering into administration in January 2014.

"The appeal has been lodged on the grounds that the insolvency event arose solely as a result of force majeure, in that the club's administration occurred in circumstances that were unforeseeable and unavoidable.

"The appeal will be heard by a specially-convened independent sporting sanctions appeal panel chaired by a qualified solicitor or barrister.

"The panel will also feature at least two other members, one of whom must be a fully qualified insolvency practitioner.

"The panel has the discretionary power to instruct an independent firm of accountants or alternative expert to provide evidence to assist them in deciding whether or not the insolvency event arose as a result of force majeure.

The RFL says it will be bound by the decision of the panel, which could confirm the deduction of six points, reduce the severity of the penalty or overthrow it.

Wakefield and Crusaders both accepted their punishment after being docked four points in 2011 for breaching the RFL's insolvency regulations and Bradford similarly accepted their fate after losing six points two years ago.

This time, however, the return of relegation from Super League means there is much more at stake and the Bulls clearly feel they have nothing to lose after being handed the maximum penalty.