Massimo Cellino has lost his appeal against being disqualified from owning Leeds. He will not be able to be involved in running the club until April 10th when his conviction is regarded as being spent.
Quite what this will mean for the club is uncertain. It is unlikely that he would be required to sell the club, but he might have to transfer his shares in the interim to a relative, probably his two sons, or a lawyer. He will have to stand down from the board within 48 hours.
Massimo Cellino has lost his appeal against being disqualified from owning Leeds. He will not be able to be involved in running the club until April 10th when his conviction is regarded as being spent.
Quite what this will mean for the club is uncertain. It is unlikely that he would be required to sell the club, but he might have to transfer his shares in the interim to a relative, probably his two sons, or a lawyer. He will have to stand down from the board within 48 hours.
In a short statement he expressed his disappointment at the decision and said that he was continuing to take legal advice. His statement and the Football League statement can be found here. He could invoke Football Association rule K and ask for an arbitration hearing or, less likely, take action through the civil courts.
A further complication is that there are additional cases outstanding against him which could lead to a fresh disqualification of 12 months. This has led to doubts about whether he can maintain his ownership in the longer run.
Leeds fans seem to remain generally well disposed to him, given the money that he has put into the club and the problems they have had from past owners. They are hopeful that he has contingency plans to deal with the situation.