Cellino loses appeal against disqualification
LEEDS UNITED owner Massimo Cellino’s appeal against disqualification as owner of the club has been rejected.
The Football League has found that the Italian businessman was subject to a disqualifying condition of its owners and directors’ test. He will now have to relinquish his role until April 10 when his conviction becomes spent under UK law.
In a statement, the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) said: “We consider that the judge’s findings of fact and her description of Mr Cellino’s state of mind based on them, is of conduct which would reasonably be considered to be dishonest. We therefore conclude that Mr Cellino has been convicted of an offence involving a ‘Dishonest Act’ within the meaning of the rules, and that he is accordingly subject to a ‘Disqualifying Condition’.
“The Football League will provide any assistance requested by Leeds United to help it minimise, as far as possible, the effect this decision has on the Club while Mr Cellino serves his period of disqualification.”
A Football League spokesman added: “The Football League’s sole objective throughout this process has been to ensure that our regulations, as democratically approved by our member clubs, are complied with. These regulations uphold principles relating to club ownership that are widely recognised to be in the interests of the game and have the support of the other football authorities, the Government and football supporters generally.”
Leeds are currently 20th in the Championship, just two places above the relegation zone, and suffered a third-round exit from the FA Cup earlier this month. They face league leaders Bournemouth at Elland Road tonight having not won since November and with just four goals in their last eight matches.
