League Championship side Leeds United was "plunged into limbo on Monday" when Italian Owner Massimo Cellino's "appeal against a ruling disqualifying him from owning the club was rejected," according to Martyn Herman of REUTERS. The Football League originally banned 58-year-old Cellino in December for failing their "fit and proper person's test" for running a club after he was "found guilty of tax evasion in an Italian court last year." He was initially given until Dec. 29 to resign as director of the club but was "allowed to continue until after the appeal." In a statement following the decision by the Football League's Professional Conduct Committee, Leeds said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the verdict, but would continue to take legal advice. The club's statement said, "Mr Cellino would like to thank the fans, sponsors and members of the wider footballing community that have given him overwhelming support, not just since the disqualifying order was issued but since he arrived at the club" (REUTERS, 1/19). The PA's Martyn Ziegler reported Cellino will "now have to step down as a director, cut ties with Leeds and undertake not to have any significant influence over the club" until April 10, when his conviction becomes spent under U.K. law. In its judgement, dismissing Cellino's appeal against the Football League's decision to disqualify him, the PCC stated, "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.'" Cellino and Leeds will also face a "further misconduct charge for failing to supply the Italian court judgment to the Football League when it first became available." The Football League said, "This will be heard by a Football Disciplinary Commission in line with League regulations in due course." The league also said it will provide "any assistance requested by Leeds" to help it minimize the effect on Cellino's disqualification (PA, 1/19).
'SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED': Leeds COO Matt Child said, "We've got lots of very good people with us and we will be liaising with the Football League and their legal team to see what the potential outcomes could be for Leeds United. We will be as compliant as we need to be. Massimo feels like he has been invited to a party and when he has shown up he hasn't been allowed in" (BBC, 1/19).
