Member Article

Cellino will not return to Leeds United after his ban has ended

Leeds United president Massimo Cellino has announced he will not return to the club when his Football League ban ends in April in order to clear his name.

Cellino was disqualified in January from having anything to do with the running of the club until 10 April, when the 58-year-old indicated he intended to return to Elland Road.

Cellino intends to appeal against the legality of his ban in order to return to the club in the long-term.

Cellino said: “I have considered in the best interests of the club to postpone any release of my true thoughts and conclusion in relation to the 79 days disqualification verdict of the Football League and it was for not unsettling the harmony of the team in a period of key league tournament matches that I have measured to reveal my decision only today, because the qualification for the 2016 Championship is by now achieved.”

“My decision has developed because I have realised that about one year ago I had been admitted as President of the club when the latter was very close to insolvency.

“Only after my restructuring activities and the material funding by the new corporate member I found myself expelled from the club on the basis of interpretation and immediate application of an Italian measure that, although in Italy is ineffective and subject to reasonable cancellation, the Football League has elected to enforce under its own rules.”

Chairman Andrew Umbers said Cellino has sold the minority stake he personally held in the club and in Eleonora Sport Limited, the company which owns the club.

Umbers told the club website: “Massimo Cellino is taking this independent action so that Leeds United is seen to be fully compliant with the Football League rules and thus help the football club avoid any sanctions.

“The club are optimistic as to the outcome of the Disciplinary Panel Hearing and of the Rule K hearing.”

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