Massimo Cellino has won his appeal against a Football League decision to block his takeover of Leeds United. The Sky Bet Championship clubs current owners Gulf Finance House Capital, and Cellino, agreed a deal two months ago for the Miami-based Italians company, Eleonora Sport, to buy 75 per cent of Leeds shares. Cellino was disqualified under the Leagues owners and directors test after being convicted of a tax offence last month in a court in Sardinia. The offence related to the non-payment of import duties on his yacht and resulted in a fine of 600,000 euros (£500,800) and the confiscation of the boat. Cellinos lawyers had argued that because the Cagliari owner had appealed against his tax conviction, he is considered not guilty under Italian law. That appeal process could take up to nine months. A Football League statement read: An independent QC has overturned the decision by the Board of The Football League that Massimo Cellino is subject to a disqualifying condition under its Owners and Directors Test. A Football League spokesman said: We are disappointed at the outcome of the appeal hearing, however we would like to thank the independent QC for his diligence in reviewing this decision. The statement continued: This was never about individual personalities, but instead was a matter in which we were obliged to uphold the integrity of our regulations having considered the issue in detail with our advisors. It was always an extremely complex matter in which a different interpretation of a judgment made under Italian law could lead to an entirely different outcome in the context of our regulations. Ultimately this has proven to be the case. The independent QC has concluded that Mr Cellinos recent conviction in the Sardinian Court did not involve conduct that would reasonably be considered to be dishonest based on information available to him at the current time. The Football League will now consider the findings of the hearing. Mike Farnan, who heads up the Yorkshire-based Together Leeds consortium, told Press Association Sport: Im delighted for Massimo. It was reported earlier this week that Cellino and Together Leeds would join forces and F arnan added: Massimos lawyers have told us that we will continue our meeting next week. This is a joint opportunity. We can now look to work together to get the club moving forward again.This has been dragging on for too long. From the Football League standpoint, and I dont know the ins and outs of all the legalities, it creates a lot of questions. Well have to wait and see what they decide to do. But lets get moving. Im really pleased for the fans. Im so pleased for the fans. Its an exciting package that we can put together. #LUFC
Posted on: Sat, 05 Apr 2014 17:20:13 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015