Massimo Cellino barred from Leeds United takeover by Football League
Guardian 24/3/14
Cellino found guilty of tax evasion in Italy
Businessman has 14 days to appeal the decision
The Italian businessman Massimo Cellino has been disqualified from buying a majority stake in Leeds under the Football League's 'owners' and directors' test', the League has announced.
Last week, a court in Sardinia found Cellino guilty of illegally evading import duty, a criminal offence. The owner of the Serie A club Cagliari was ordered to pay a €600,000 (£500,000) fine after the court convicted him of failing to pay €388,500 in tax on Nélie, a yacht seized by Italian police and customs officials in June 2012.
The decision leaves Leeds in a state of limbo over its future ownership – Cellino has already paid more than £2million into the club.
The Football League said in a statement on Monday: "At its meeting yesterday evening, the Board of The Football League considered the eligibility of Massimo Cellino under its Owners' and Directors' Test. The Board considered detailed legal advice with regard to the application of its regulations within the context of a decision made under Italian law.
"Mr. Cellino was recently found guilty beyond reasonable doubt by a Court in Sardinia of an offence under Italian tax legislation relating to the non-payment of import duties on a boat. This resulted in a fine of €600,000, an order for the payment of trial costs and the confiscation of the boat in question.
"Having fully considered the matter, the Board agreed unanimously that the decision of the Italian Court does constitute a disqualifying condition under its Owners' and Directors' Test. The relevant disqualifying condition being that Massimo Cellino has been convicted of an offence involving acts that would reasonably be considered to be dishonest.
"In line with Football League regulations, Massimo Cellino is entitled to appeal against the Board's decision within 14 days. In such circumstances, The League would seek to expedite the process to deliver certainty to all parties in the shortest possible timeframe."
Cellino found guilty of tax evasion in Italy
Businessman has 14 days to appeal the decision
The Italian businessman Massimo Cellino has been disqualified from buying a majority stake in Leeds under the Football League's 'owners' and directors' test', the League has announced.
Last week, a court in Sardinia found Cellino guilty of illegally evading import duty, a criminal offence. The owner of the Serie A club Cagliari was ordered to pay a €600,000 (£500,000) fine after the court convicted him of failing to pay €388,500 in tax on Nélie, a yacht seized by Italian police and customs officials in June 2012.
The decision leaves Leeds in a state of limbo over its future ownership – Cellino has already paid more than £2million into the club.
The Football League said in a statement on Monday: "At its meeting yesterday evening, the Board of The Football League considered the eligibility of Massimo Cellino under its Owners' and Directors' Test. The Board considered detailed legal advice with regard to the application of its regulations within the context of a decision made under Italian law.
"Mr. Cellino was recently found guilty beyond reasonable doubt by a Court in Sardinia of an offence under Italian tax legislation relating to the non-payment of import duties on a boat. This resulted in a fine of €600,000, an order for the payment of trial costs and the confiscation of the boat in question.
"Having fully considered the matter, the Board agreed unanimously that the decision of the Italian Court does constitute a disqualifying condition under its Owners' and Directors' Test. The relevant disqualifying condition being that Massimo Cellino has been convicted of an offence involving acts that would reasonably be considered to be dishonest.
"In line with Football League regulations, Massimo Cellino is entitled to appeal against the Board's decision within 14 days. In such circumstances, The League would seek to expedite the process to deliver certainty to all parties in the shortest possible timeframe."