Massimo Cellino has been disqualified as League Championship side Leeds United's owner by the Football League after a conviction for "evading import duty on a yacht was deemed a 'dishonest'" offense, casting the club's future in "severe doubt once again," according to James Riach of the London GUARDIAN. The League has ruled that Cellino, the "colourful Italian who took control of the Championship side in April, must resign as a club director within 28 days" and take steps to ensure that he is not acting as a "relevant person" at Leeds. Cellino indicated that he would "appeal the decision, with representations needing to be made within 14 days," and asked, "Why is this club hated so much?" In March, Cellino was found guilty of evading almost €390,000 ($487,4000)
of "import-tax duty on his boat, the Nelie," in '12, a first-grade
conviction in Italy that he is appealing. The League has "also requested that an independent football disciplinary
commission" consider whether Cellino and or Leeds breached League
regulations "relating to the timely disclosure of relevant information"
regarding an owner's status. Cellino: "Now I have to appeal, more money for lawyers -- what for? I'm paying
everything, I've paid £35 million ($55M) in six months. I'm doing everything for the
club, for the fans, they deserve something" (GUARDIAN, 12/1). REUTERS' Mike Collett reported Leeds is seeking legal advice over the ruling, "which is the second from the League disqualifying Cellino." The first, issued in March this year, "was over-ruled by an independent committee the following month" (REUTERS, 12/1). In London, Luke Edwards reported although Cellino "appealed on the basis he was fighting his conviction," the
Football League has taken its own legal advice and is satisfied that it "can force him to relinquish control of the club he bought back in
March." Under English law, Cellino has been found guilty in a court, "regardless of any
plans to appeal, which means he has committed an offence that is serious
enough to prevent him from remaining in charge at Elland Road." Cellino can appeal and will look to "drag the legal process out for as long as
possible." He "may well refuse to sell his shares, which would almost
certainly ensure he is only temporarily excluded from the boardroom" (TELEGRAPH, 12/1).
'SEEMS LIKE A VENDETTA': In London, Rick Broadbent reported Cellino has accused the Football League of "waging a personal vendetta
against him after he was again disqualified." He said, "It seems like a vendetta. Why? You'd have
to ask them. All I know is I am doing everything I can to turn this club
around and I will not walk away. I will not let the fans down." The League has said that Cellino must resign. It also states, however, that he is "only barred until March 18 when his
conviction will be deemed spent." Many Leeds fans took to Twitter to suggest
that scenario made Monday's news an "unnecessary development, a view shared by
the club," which said the Football League's decision to disqualify the Italian
would "destabilise" the club and "cannot be in the best interests of any
party" (LONDON TIMES, 12/1).
