January 25 – Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has officially stepped down from his club duties, being replaced by Andrew Umbers until at least April 10 when Cellino’s ban will have been served.
Cellino had appealed against a Football League ruling that had disqualified him after the league had received documents from an Italian court that had found him guilty of tax evasion.
On April 10 Cellino’s conviction will deemed to have been served and he can hence return to the club. However, a further charge of misconduct for withholding this information from the Football League is still to be heard by the league’s disciplinary committee, perhaps extending Cellino’s ban further.
In a club statement Cellino said: “It is with great sadness and frustration that I have to take this step, however I abide by the Football League’s decision to disqualify me.”
But he promised this wasn’t the end of his involvement, saying: “I will return to this great football club in April in good health and good spirits.”
Cellino is a hands-on owner and notorious for sacking managers and executives working under him. Umbers was responsible for bringing in Cellino and the sale of GFH’s majority stake. While Umbers was already on the board, it can be safely assumed he is only babystiiting in the rile until can return.
Leeds United currently is serving a financial fair play penalty and is unable to buy players in the current transfer window.
The club has struggled with ownership and league position in recent years and currently lies in 20th place in the division, one place above the relegation zone and with a real threat of dropping to League 1.
The club has an average crowd of about 23,000 this season, putting it in the top five of Championship clubs by attendance.
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