Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe has "asked his Twitter followers whether it would be a good idea" to buy League Championship side Leeds United, according to Simon Stone of the BBC. The English club is owned by Eleonora Sport Ltd. but banned president Massimo Cellino has "sold his personal stake in both the company and Leeds." New Zealand-born Crowe, who is a Leeds supporter, reportedly "would consider buying the club if he was approached and had the backing of fans." His affection for Leeds "dates back to his schooldays, when he used to watch editions of the BBC's Match of the Day." The reaction from Leeds fans was "overwhelmingly positive" (BBC, 2/25).
The PA reported Leeds fan @Samwild90 tweeted at Crowe saying, "Please buy Leeds. In need of help!!" Crowe retweeted the message and added the comment "Anybody else think this is a good idea?" The message was retweeted more than a thousand times with "numerous hopeful and positive responses, one of them coming from the recently formed group Leeds Fans LLP, a working party of supporters trying to get a seat on the Elland Road board." The group "immediately asked Crowe to make contact and he did, replying with some advice over three messages" (PA, 2/25). In London, Ben Rumsby reported Crowe's tweet followed Tuesday's announcement by "controversial" Leeds president Cellino that he had "divested himself of his shareholding in order to fight the legality of a Football League ruling banning him from running the club until April." Leeds Fans LLP told Crowe it wanted a "fan voice on the board." Crowe responded by saying that South Sydney "set up a member company with seats on the board." Crowe tweeted, "There has to be a singular vision. There has to be one voice that sets the tone. Every thought and every decision has to be about success on the field" (TELEGRAPH, 2/25). Also in London, James Riach reported Cellino has said he will not "immediately return as the Leeds United president in April when his Football League disqualification ends, with the Italian to challenge the 'correctness in law' of the League's decision to bar him as owner." Cellino was disqualified as president for 79 days last month until April 10, after a "failed appeal, but is taking 'independent action' against the League and will wait before returning as the club's owner" so as to help Leeds avoid any sanctions. Leeds Chair Andrew Umbers said in a statement that Cellino was "optimistic as to the outcome of a Rule K
hearing." A FA Rule K hearing could see the Italian
"take the Football League to an independent arbitration tribunal" (GUARDIAN, 2/24).
