Member Article

Potential boost for Leeds United when Cellino returns after €2 million TV payout

Massimo Cellino may be returning to Leeds United later this year with some extra capital to invest in the club.

In January the Football League upheld a decision to ban him from owning Leeds United, deeming him not fit and proper due to an unpaid tax conviction, bu he is eligible to return in April.

Chairman Andrew Umbers confirmed to the BBC he would return earlier this month, and it has been reported he will be richer as a result of a TV rights row in his native Italy.

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that Serie A side Cagliari have won a drawn out case against the city council over television rights.

The result is Cagliari, which Cellino no longe owns, have won €2 million from the council who had at the time taken the money due to unpaid fees on the club’s stadium.

However the club will not benefit, as Cellino drew a clause into the contract which stipulated he would receive the entirety of the fee owed.

Gazzetta report the money therefore will be going directly to him, rather than the club’s current ownership.

The only disappointment for Cellino will be the low foreign exchange rate at present, with the money converting to £1.47 million.

Yet with money needed to sign loan players on a permanent basis, bring in new signings in the summer, and put towards the long-term goals of buying the stadium and clearing debt, any boost like this is welcome.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .