re: Leeds Owner given the boot by the Football League

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The Italian won an appeal against the League's decision to block his takeover of the club in April, but after receiving the detailed evidence from the Italian court that convicted him of tax evasion, the governing body has ruled he is not fit to continue as the club's president and he could now be forced to sell the club.

The League's board of directors agreed unanimously at a meeting last week, after finally receiving the Italian judge's written report on Cellino's conviction for failing to pay tax on his yacht, that Cellino is "subject to a disqualifying condition under the terms of the Test".

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.

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."

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