Massimo Cellino loses appeal against disqualification from owning Leeds United
A Professional Conduct Committee has rejected an appeal by Massimo Cellino against his disqualification from owning Leeds United.
The Football League board had ruled that Cellino is subject to a disqualifying condition under its Owners' and Directors' Test.
The PCC found that the reasoned judgment of the Italian Court, once it had become available, was for an act involving dishonesty as determined by the Board in its original ruling in March 2014.
Mr. Cellino’s appeal against that original decision had been upheld on the basis that it could not be concluded that the offence necessarily involved a ‘Dishonest Act’ for the purposes of the Test.
Once the reasoned judgment became available, the Board considered the matter again and concluded that it clearly demonstrated that Cellino’s offence did indeed involve acts that would reasonably be considered to be dishonest.
As a result of this decision, Massimo Cellino is disqualified from acting as a ‘Relevant Person’, as defined by Football League regulations until 10th April 2015.
The Football League will provide any assistance requested by Leeds United to help it minimise, as far as possible, the effect the decision has on the club while Cellino serves his period of disqualification.
A Football League spokesman said: