Cellino: I was joking about 'pie tax'

Leeds owner Massimo Cellino has told an Italian newspaper he introduced the club's controversial 'pie tax' to punish supporters who criticised him - but he insists he was only joking.

The Sky Bet Championship club angered many fans in December when raising adult tickets in Elland Road's South Stand by £5, offering a voucher for refreshments in exchange for the rise.

The additional sum was mandatory and implemented solely in that area of the stadium, with tickets rising to as high as £42 for category A matches as a result.

It has emerged that weeks later Cellino gave an interview to Sardiniannewspaper L'Unione Sarda when he initially said he chose to add the surcharge after coming under fire from fans.

He added in a video interview that he took the decision in reaction to beerbeing sold close to the club's stadium, in the hope it would encouragesupporters to instead spend their money on refreshments inside the stadium.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Cellino said in the video:

Cellino stood by the explanation when asked by the Yorkshire Evening Post about his remarks, stressing he had not sought to punish Leeds supporters.

He said: "It was just a joke. I never could do anything like that.

"In the bar business we try to make (the fans) buy the beer from our bars and not from everybody who sells them in front of the stadium. It is to help the club."