England: Massimo Cellino (Leeds United) loses appeal, disqualified from the Football League

Massimo Cellino, the president and majority shareholder of Leeds United AFC (Championship, English second division), has been disqualified from acting as a "Relevant Person" in the club, and must sell or transfer all of his assets in Leeds United AFC with immediate effect, announced the Football League (organising body of the English second, third, and fourth divisions) on 19/01/2015.

Massimo Cellino had his appeal against the disqualifying decision of the Football League on 02/12/2014 rejected by the PCC (Professional Conduct Committee of the Football League) on 19/01/2015. After 10/04/2015, Massimo Cellino can apply for reinstatement, as the Football League's statute of limitations is one year from the date of the original conviction in Cagliari (ITA) on 18/03/2014.

• “We consider that the (Cagliari, ITA) judge’s findings of fact is of conduct which would reasonably be considered to be dishonest. We therefore conclude that Mr. Cellino has been convicted of an offence involving a ‘Dishonest Act’ within the meaning of the rules, and that he is accordingly subject to a ‘Disqualifying…