Football League disqualifies Cellino

LEEDS United has been thrown into fresh turmoil after the Football League disqualified Italian businessman Massimo Cellino from owning the club.

In a statement, the League said its board of directors had reconsidered the position of the Leeds United president under its Owners’ and Directors’ Test.

Previously, in March, the board had ruled that Mr Cellino was subject to a disqualifying condition after he was found guilty of an offence under Italian tax legislation relating to the non-payment of import duties on a boat, which resulted in him being fined €600,000.

But in April, this decision was successfully appealed by Mr Cellino at a hearing of the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) chaired by an independent QC.

However, at its meeting last week, the Football League considered the judgment of the Italian Court against Mr Cellino, having successfully applied for its full disclosure.

The Football League’s statement read: “The board considered detailed legal advice and agreed unanimously (with the exception of its chief executive, Shaun Harvey, who did not take part in the debate or vote having declared an interest) that Mr Cellino is subject to a disqualifying condition under the terms of the test.

“Mr Cellino is entitled to appeal the board’s decision to the PCC within 14 days. As the judgment of the Italian Court has not been published in Italy, The Football League will not make any of its contents public.

“Additionally, the board concluded that it was appropriate to ask an independent Football Disciplinary Commission (FDC) to consider whether Mr Cellino and/or Leeds United breached League regulations relating to the timely disclosure of relevant information. The matter will be heard by an FDC in due course.”