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Leeds United Owner Reverses Decision To Sell Club To Supporters Group

Leeds United Owner Massimo Cellino no longer has any intention of selling the club and has "reneged on plans to hand control over to a supporters’ group," according to Mark Critchley of the London INDEPENDENT. The Italian businessman had agreed to sell his majority share in the Elland Road club to Leeds Fans United last Friday, "despite standing to not make profit from the deal." Cellino was "moved to agree a deal with the supporters’ group following protests from fans during the club’s 2-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers." The owner's lawyers and LFU were due to meet Wednesday and "negotiate an exclusivity period." However, in a statement, the "prospective buyers confirmed that the controversial owner had undergone a change of heart" (INDEPENDENT, 11/4). In London, Neil Gardner wrote the supporters' group said that it believed Cellino would sell it the club for £30M ($46.15M) "but he now appears to have reneged on the agreement." In a statement the LFU said, "Leeds Fans United has just been informed by the lawyers of Massimo Cellino that he no longer wishes to sell to Leeds Fans. Our insistence on him confirming his verbal offer of exclusivity in a legally-binding agreement has forced transparency on his motives. It is much better that we identify this insincerity now before we spend our shareholder's money" (LONDON TIMES, 11/4). SKY SPORTS reported Cellino "can't take any more" and is ready to sell Leeds, but accused LFU of telling "fairytales" after claiming the divisive owner reneged on plans to sell them the club. LFU's statement clearly "irked Cellino, who quickly fired back." He said, "They say a lot of fairytales. They really are like kids in a sweet shop. They talk too much. It is dangerous, this kind of publicity." Cellino cannot, though, "deal with the anger shown at him by United fans, which means the club could soon be changing hands once again." Cellino: "I'm very hurt and sad, I can't take any more" (SKYSPORTS, 11/4). REUTERS' Shravanth Vijayakumar reported the Italian bought a 75% stake in the former European Cup runners-up from Gulf Finance House in '14, but has described his tenure as a "nightmare" after the Football League "banned him over a tax conviction in Italy." Results on the pitch have also failed to materialize "with the well-supported club." Since taking over the club, Cellino has "sacked five managers and is currently appealing against a Football League ban." He got the nickname "coach eater" after "going through 36 of them in 22 years while he was the owner of Italian club Cagliari" (REUTERS, 11/4). 

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