As far as I know - and that isn't very far - Mr Leigh did have a written agreement with the NoEAA to do this and it was also agreed by both clubs.
So although it is a breach of the rules as they are set out, it is in fact an authorised one.
I think this is the case WP, but unless Mr Leigh is above everyone in the running world, then surely this must now be the case for everyone. I would love to see a legal case come about from this ruling. Would make it very interesting.