Cellino to appeal decision to disqualify him from Leeds ownership
Massimo Cellino says he will appeal against the Football League's decision to disqualify him as owner of Leeds United and insists he will fight to stay on at Elland Road.
Cellino won an appeal against the League's decision to block his takeover of the club in April but having considered detailed evidence from the Italian court which convicted him of tax evasion, the governing body has now decided the 58-year-old was in breach of its Owners' and Directors' test.
"I will respect everything but I am going to appeal and show them that they are wrong," Cellino told Sky Sports News HQ.
"If I am not allowed to run the club I will buy a ticket and sit with the fans but I am not going to run away.
"The fans deserve something very nice: they are very clever because they trust me. I will do everything I can, by the law, to protect this club and I promise them that."
Cellino has been told he must resign from his position immediately and has 14 days in which to lodge any appeal, but should the decision be upheld, the sanction will apply until March 18, 2015, when under UK law the conviction is deemed to be spent.
But Cellino said the fact he could return to the helm in a few months' time was beside the point.
"This present from the League was not expected," added Cellino, who said he disagreed vehemently with the Football League's interpretation of events, insisting that the lawyers appointed by the governing body had misunderstood the Italian legal system.
"The board voted on something that the lawyers brought to them but I don't think it is right. I think it's unfair and wrong.
"I'm surprised so much energy and so much money has been wasted to run after something that is not just. In Italy you don't have a conviction until the third grade and I have been found guilty in the first degree. That's nothing in Italy, it's not a conviction but we keep throwing money from the windows to the lawyers.
"If I walk away it means that I am a dishonest person. I am not a dishonest person. I will fight to the last degree to protect the principle that I'm not dishonest.
"It is not the fault of the League but the fault of the lawyers, they've made a big mistake and we are wasting time for nothing. We are not walking away."
Cellino added: "Everyone is against Leeds, we have to fight against everything.
"Who's looking after Leeds? People from Bahrain and people from Italy. Why don't English people look after the club, they should be ashamed. I come from Italy and I love this club more than someone from Britain."
The League has also asked an independent disciplinary commission to consider whether Cellino and/or Leeds breached League regulations by not disclosing relevant information in a timely manner.
The Football League said in a statement: "At its meeting last week, the board considered the reasoned judgment of the Italian court against Mr Cellino, having successfully applied to the Italian courts for its full disclosure.
"The board considered detailed legal advice and agreed unanimously... that Mr Cellino is subject to a disqualifying condition under the terms of the (Owners' and Directors') Test.
"As the judgment of the Italian court has not been published in Italy, the Football League will not make any of its contents public."
A Leeds fans' group has urged the Football League and Cellino "not to engage in endless legal struggles."
Leeds United Supporters Trust said in a statement: "In light of the decision of the Football League (on Monday) to disqualify Massimo Cellino and the public response of Leeds United, the Leeds United Supporters Trust calls on both the Football League and Massimo Cellino to act in the best interests of the club and its supporters and not to engage in endless legal struggles that ultimately benefit no-one.
"For too long, football administrators and owners have failed to consider the consequences of their actions on loyal Leeds United supporters.
"Our members are frustrated that uncertainty has yet again been introduced to Leeds United and the resulting instability that creates for both the club's business operations and its supporters.
"This lack of consideration needs to end and the best interests of Leeds United and the integrity of the Championship need to be protected."
