Football League defers Massimo Cellino ban

THE Football League’s ban on Massimo Cellino’s ownership of Leeds United has been deferred.

It has been pushed back, pending the outcome of the appeal he has placed against his suspension.

He was banned last month after being found guilty of a tax offence in Italy. Mr Cellino was penalised for not paying VAT on an imported Land Rover vehicle.

Mr Cellino, who took over at Elland Road in April 2014, has been dogged by controversy during his time there.

He recently pulled out of a deal to sell the club to Leeds Fans Utd.

The group had been formed with the aim of taking a minority stake in the club but has shown it could work on a bid to own Leeds United if the need arose.

“We are in substantially better position now than ten days ago,” said chief executive of Leeds Fans Utd chief executive Dylan Thwaites at the time. “We have proved we can play at minority or majority level. Massimo is now out in the open and engaged in selling the club.”