How Leeds avoided a points deduction in 2017, amid case involving Massimo Cellino and Ross McCormack — Leeds United News 21/11/23
Will Butcher
Leeds United avoided a points deduction back in 2017 in a
case involving Massimo Cellino and the signing of Ross McCormack – in a case
that saw Cellino banned from football for a year, and fined.
The Times published a story today that shares recent
examples of how clubs came close to deductions in terms of points. Everton have
of course been deducted 10 points, after breaching Financial Fairplay.
Ross McCormack spent four years at Elland Road, playing 157
times in which he had a hand in 89 goals. He left to join Fulham in 2014, with
the Cottagers spending a fee of £12m to land the Scotland attacker.
Reports at the time, as well as the Times report, state that
Cellino was banned for 12 months and fined £100,000 – as an unlicensed agent
was used to strike a deal. But, Leeds avoided a points deduction.
Cellino sold his entire stake in Leeds to Andrea Radrizzani
that summer before the announcement was made that Cellino would be banned for a
year, in October 2017. Leeds finished in 13th that season.
The new report states that Leeds only avoided a points
deduction as club directors were ordered to attend an education programme on
the use of footballing agents. Leeds have of course had deductions.
“Massimo Cellino was banned from working in football for 12
months in 2017 and fined £100,000 for breaching rules relating to an unlicensed
agent and the transfer of Ross McCormack to Fulham in 2014.
“Leeds avoided a points deduction but club directors were
ordered to attend an education programme on the use of football
intermediaries,” The Times wrote in today’s piece, about Cellino and McCormack.
Leeds are expected to pursue legal action against Everton
following the guilty verdict and the 10-point deduction. It is believed
Leicester, Burnley and Leeds are filing against Everton in a joint claim.
