Fans group reaches ‘agreement in principle with Massimo Cellino’ to purchase majority Leeds stake
Supporters group Leeds Fans Utd says it has reached “an agreement in principle” to purchase president Massimo Cellino’s majority stake in the Sky Bet Championship club.
The Italian, currently appealing against a second Football League ban, is thought to have met with fans on Friday as he looks for a way out of Elland Road, having this week told The Times newspaper that his tenure had been “a nightmare”.
A tweet from Leeds Fans Utd on Friday evening stated: “Leeds Fans Utd has today reached agreement in principle with Massimo Cellino to purchase a majority stake in Leeds United Football Club.”
Leeds Fans Utd has today reached agreement in principle with Massimo Cellino to purchase a majority stake in Leeds United Football Club.
— Leeds Fans Utd (@LeedsFansUtd) October 30, 2015
Cellino confirmed a deal could be in the offing to Sky Sports News and told BBC Radio Leeds: “One hundred per cent I will sell to the fans, if they want to buy it and look after the club. The fans are the only asset the club has.”
Leeds Fans United has long had the aim of buying a minority stake in the club and securing representation on the board, and Friday’s developments put it within touching distance of achieving that goal.
Many Leeds fans voiced their opposition to Cellino during the club’s 2-0 league defeat at home to Blackburn on Thursday night.
The day before the game, Cellino lodged an appeal against his latest Football League ban.
This is very early stages. @LeedsFansUtd have been speaking to Cellino for a while but this has come out of the blue. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) October 30, 2015
Earlier this month the Italian was banned for a second time for breaching the Football League’s owners’ and directors’ rules following a conviction for tax evasion this year.
Cellino, who has three further criminal cases against him still outstanding, had until October 28 to contest the punishment and he submitted the necessary paperwork ahead of Wednesday’s deadline.
A statement from the Football League said: “The Football League can confirm that the legal representatives of Leeds United president Massimo Cellino have lodged an appeal against his recent disqualification under the League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test.
“The appeal will be heard in due course by an independent League Arbitration Panel.”
Just to recap on figures - Cellino's initial takeover fee was £5m. Another £5m was due to GFH in December of last year. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) October 30, 2015
Cellino served his previous ban from January until May, having been found guilty of failing to pay VAT on a yacht.
If he is unsuccessful with his latest appeal, the 59-year-old, who took over at Elland Road in April 2014, will be unable to take part in the day-to-day running of the club, forcing him to pass control to someone else.
However, he is able to continue in his role until the appeal is heard.
The Football League has yet to confirm the length of any ban but it is thought it would end in June 2016, 12 months from the date of his conviction when it will be spent under English law.
