Massimo Cellino will not sell up at Leeds

Massimo Cellino has said that he will not sell up at Leeds United despite having failed the Football League’s fit and proper person test.

Massimo Cellino has said that he will not sell up at Leeds United despite having failed the Football League’s fit and proper person test.   The Football League made its decision after considering detailed evidence from the Italian court that convicted him of an offence under Italian tax legislation relating to the import of a luxury yacht.

Additionally, the League is to set up an independent football disciplinary commission to consider whether Massimo Cellino and/or Leeds United failed to disclose relevant information in a timely fashion.

Cellino has 14 days to appeal against the decision and Leeds United is considering the legal position. As his conviction becomes ‘spent’ next March, he would then be able to resume his position as club president.

A complication is that a further tax case is due to be heard about a second yacht called Lucy 23.   That was postponed last month because the judge had been involved in the first case.

In a statement Leeds United have said that ‘The steps that the League wishes the club to take – to remove Mr Cellino only to re-appoint him in three months’ time –  will be destabilising for the club, its supporters and sponsors and cannot be in the best interests of any party.’

Any forced sale would be difficult given that Cellino bought Leeds for £11m and agreed to service a £24m debt.  He is Bahrain agreeing a £20m investment deal with former owners GFH, which retains a stake in the club.

Former managing director David Haigh has been in jail in Dubai since May after GFH accused him of embezzling £3m.   He denies all charges and has written to the Football League alleging that Iranian money was involved in the GFH purchase, contravening a United Nations Security Council resolution.