Massimo Cellino must wait for outcome of appeal over Leeds takeover
Guardian 31/3/14
Independent QC reserves judgment after hearing case
Italian challenges League's decision to block buyout of club
Massimo Cellino will have to wait for the outcome of his appeal against the Football League's decision to block his takeover of Leeds United.
The Italian's hearing took place in London on Monday with the future of the club hanging in the balance. An independent QC heard both sides of the argument and requires more time to consider the case.
A Football League statement read: "Massimo Cellino's appeal under The Football League's owners' and directors' test has now concluded with the independent QC reserving his judgment."
Cellino was disqualified as a potential owner by the League last week after being found guilty in an Italian court of failing to pay €388,500 of import tax on a yacht. The Italian businessman had agreed in February to buy 75% of Leeds from the Bahrain-based investment bank Gulf Finance House.
Lawyers for the Cagliari owner challenged the League's ruling and representatives from the law firm Mishcon de Reya were expected to argue that Cellino is innocent under Italian law until an appeal against the import tax ruling is finalised.
The League is keen to draw a line under a saga that has played out in public since Cellino first agreed terms with GFH.
Leeds are understood to be in a perilous financial position and, if Cellino's appeal is rejected by the judge, GFH will come under further pressure to find new sources of income for a club losing approximately £1m a month.
On Friday the Leeds manager, Brian McDermott, and the players agreed to defer 50% of their wages, with Cellino refusing to inject more money into a club he has bankrolled for the last two months.
Cellino, in an inflammatory interview with White Leeds Radio on Sunday, questioned the club's high wage bill and appeared unhappy with recent performances.
McDermott refused to be drawn on his comments when asked about them on Monday. Cellino was unaware his conversation on Sunday night was being recorded after taking a cold call from a Leeds fan hosting the radio show.
McDermott, speaking at a press conference before Tuesday night's home game against Charlton, said he had listened to the interview. "If you have a private conversation, it's private and shouldn't have gone out, full stop," McDermott said.
"It was private. What we need is a togetherness here and we'll get a togetherness. If he gets the club, he'll have a decision to make on where we go forward."
Independent QC reserves judgment after hearing case
Italian challenges League's decision to block buyout of club
Massimo Cellino will have to wait for the outcome of his appeal against the Football League's decision to block his takeover of Leeds United.
The Italian's hearing took place in London on Monday with the future of the club hanging in the balance. An independent QC heard both sides of the argument and requires more time to consider the case.
A Football League statement read: "Massimo Cellino's appeal under The Football League's owners' and directors' test has now concluded with the independent QC reserving his judgment."
Cellino was disqualified as a potential owner by the League last week after being found guilty in an Italian court of failing to pay €388,500 of import tax on a yacht. The Italian businessman had agreed in February to buy 75% of Leeds from the Bahrain-based investment bank Gulf Finance House.
Lawyers for the Cagliari owner challenged the League's ruling and representatives from the law firm Mishcon de Reya were expected to argue that Cellino is innocent under Italian law until an appeal against the import tax ruling is finalised.
The League is keen to draw a line under a saga that has played out in public since Cellino first agreed terms with GFH.
Leeds are understood to be in a perilous financial position and, if Cellino's appeal is rejected by the judge, GFH will come under further pressure to find new sources of income for a club losing approximately £1m a month.
On Friday the Leeds manager, Brian McDermott, and the players agreed to defer 50% of their wages, with Cellino refusing to inject more money into a club he has bankrolled for the last two months.
Cellino, in an inflammatory interview with White Leeds Radio on Sunday, questioned the club's high wage bill and appeared unhappy with recent performances.
McDermott refused to be drawn on his comments when asked about them on Monday. Cellino was unaware his conversation on Sunday night was being recorded after taking a cold call from a Leeds fan hosting the radio show.
McDermott, speaking at a press conference before Tuesday night's home game against Charlton, said he had listened to the interview. "If you have a private conversation, it's private and shouldn't have gone out, full stop," McDermott said.
"It was private. What we need is a togetherness here and we'll get a togetherness. If he gets the club, he'll have a decision to make on where we go forward."
