Leeds United owner Cellino set to appeal after second ban

Cellino has tonight been hit with a second Football League ownership ban only minutes after confirming Steve Evans as the club’s new head coach.

The Italian’s future as majority shareholder at Elland Road is in grave doubt again following a fresh disqualification imposed on him as punishment for his conviction for tax evasion in Italy in June.

The 59-year-old was found guilty by a court in Cagliari of failing to pay 40,000 Euros owed in tax on a Range Rover he imported to Italy from the USA.

A statement from the League said it had “considered detailed legal advice and the court’s reasoned judgment” before finding Cellino in breach of its Owners and Directors Test.

Its statement read: “The (Football League) board determined that the decision of the Italian court constitutes a disqualifying condition under the Owners and Directors test.

“Mr Cellino has until October 28 to appeal against the board’s decision. Any such appeal would be heard by an independent panel.”

The announcement rounded off a chaotic day in the life of Leeds United following the decision to sack head coach Uwe Rosler and appoint Evans.