Massimo Cellino’s takeover bid for Leeds United looks set to receive approval from the English Football League.
The Cagliari owner is leading a consortium offering to buy 75 per cent shares in the Championship club.
Massimo Cellino’s takeover bid for Leeds United looks set to receive approval from the English Football League.
The Cagliari owner is leading a consortium offering to buy 75 per cent shares in the Championship club.
Whilst difficulties with club supporters have already arisen amid uncertainty over Brian McDermott’s position as manager, speculation was that Cellino’s previous convictions in Italy for fraud would see his attempt to come in at Elland Road blocked through not qualifying as ‘a fit and proper person’ under the Football League’s test for would-be club owners and directors.
However, speculation in England today is that the Miami-based entrepreneur, who has owned Cagliari since 1992, is in line to pass this process.
The Guardian says that Cellino’s lawyer Giovanni Cocco has confirmed to them that Cellino’s 1996 conviction of a fraud offence was expunged on appeal.
Cocco has also indicated that Cellino, who was handed a 15-month suspended sentence in 2001 for false accounting, will ‘strenuously deny’ accusations on improperly using public money to fund Cagliari’s stadium, which he was arrested for last year.