What Next for Leeds United?

Article by e-Leeds United Correspondent Gwyn Hughes

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Well, it had to happen didn't it? If the Football League waited enough time they would eventually catch Cellino out with a misdemeanour. His alleged tax evasion over a boat has been enough of a 'crime' to prevent him from becoming the owner of Leeds United. After winning over the majority of fans since he first came on the scene on that crazy night in January, his plans have been scuppered by a bunch of people who have no desire to see Leeds progress. In fact some of them have histories as dodgy or worse than Cellino has.

But even with Cellino's position becoming fairly clear after this verdict, the situation at Leeds remains shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Crazy statements from GFH don't help. Everyone but them can see that the club is not a going concern and has not been for some time, and desperate for a Cellino to come in and wipe away the debts and rebuild the club's financial position. The Mike Farnan led group who have been on the periphery of the saga are still silent even with Cellino now apparently out of the picture. Or is he?

The Miami based businessman still refuses to go with a flea in his ear by the Football League and plans to appeal not only his tax evasion conviction but also the Football League's decision on his unworthiness to run Leeds United.

"Cellino has been given 14-days to appeal the decision made by the Football League who voted unanimously to reject the takeover. Early indications are that Cellino will fight the decision and go to appeal, something that will be heard by an independent tribunal according to reports. An independent member as well as two members from the Football League usually hear the appeal".

 

Vital Football (25/3/2014)

Although I don't hold out a lot of hope of him winning an appeal against an organisation that has never seen to do Leeds any favours in the past, at least there will be an independent voice on the panel that will hear Cellino's new evidence. Who that person is, I don't know, but what are the chances of that person having the same prejudice against Leeds as the others have had? The ones that made the recent decision on Cellino don't seem to be exactly unbiased either. How can a person who was sacked by GFH last year be in a position to determine decisions that can affect his previous employers? Surely there is a huge conflict of negative interest here. Shaun Harvey should have been not been involved in this case, which should have been conducted and decided by a totally independent panel.

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At the end of the day, how does Cellino's crime compare to the ones committed by people who have already been green-lit by the Football League to take over clubs?

"Step forward, for instance, Carson Yeung of Birmingham City. Except Carson cannot actually step forward very far, because he’s languishing in a 12′ by 12′ cell somewhere in China, guilty as charged on five counts of money laundering amounting to somewhere in the region of £55m."

Life, Leeds United, The Universe and Everything (24/03/2014)

No-one actually knows the truth about Cellino's business dealings, but 22 years at Cagliari must show that he can run a club and fairly successfully as well. The Italian authorities don't seem to have a problem with him in all those years. It is in a businessman's DNA to avoid paying taxes when the opportunity presents itself and usually they do it legally, but it appears that Cellino's accountant just wasn't smart enough!

Another baffling development is GFH's insistence on still trying to work out a way of Cellino taking over the club.

"...the Board and Executive Management at the club. will continue discussions with the Football League and Eleonora Sport to find a solution that is suitable to all parties."

GFH Capital (24/03/2014)

What have they got up their sleeve? Are they trying to fool the fans, who seem to have a better grip of reality than the owners have. Perhaps they think that Cellino will win his appeal, but where I'm sitting that is by no means a formality. Throughout the whole saga I have been astounded at the statements of GFH which have been the opposite to what other commentators are reporting. It's like looking at a blind man slowly walking towards the edge of a cliff. I can't bear to look! Stating that they are not worried about administration doesn't mean it's not going to happen, and such statements are not reassuring to this fan. I echo the Leeds United Supporter's Trust appeal for more clarification at what GFH intend to do next, and the fact that we continue to get these vague reassurances that everything is okay, are a sure sign that things are not okay! Losing £1 million a month is not okay!

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