24 Sep 2014 12:14:29
Judge in Italy has made the decisions known re her ruling, FL may well now start again against MC even though MC is appealing the ruling so they should wait as I believe in Italian Law this is still early stages and MC not judged guilty yet (unlike our law system).

Of course the FL do appear over eager on this as we know so I'm pretty sure they will be jumping on this asap.

1.) 24 Sep 2014
24 Sep 2014 12:25:04
I've just read something similar myself, Harvey seems content on getting Cellino out of Leeds United. Would it be possible for him to name Ercole or Edoardo as main owners! The tax case isn't against them afterall and they have already been granted Directors approval?

2.) 24 Sep 2014
Yes, it would seem it's one law for us and another for the rest of football and I think the FL will be still smarting at their defeat to Cellino's original appeal. No doubt the press will be all over this scare mongering and penning utter garbage. I suppose it sells their papers. Who say's we're not famous anymore?!

MM

3.) 25 Sep 2014
I read somewhere and it said MC cannot sell to anyone who he may have influence over regarding the running of the Club. This apparently is further to the Oyston saga at Blackpool.

PeteMOT

4.) 25 Sep 2014
The FL do not have it their own way. If MC can buy a company in UK, register with HMRC and pay dues, then the FL are on dodgy ground. It may well be that FL do try, but an appeal from MC would win the day .
Interesting times ahead.

5.) 25 Sep 2014
FL on very dodgy ground - Can you imagine the fallout from the media, FL having found MC "improper", he appeals AND wins, runs Leeds, like he has for the last 6 months, then found "dishonest", FL try and get him out of Leeds. How "improper" of the FA is that!!
FL corrupt??
Surely it's time that the FL was investigated - You have more corruption going on in the game NOW, with fit & proper test - What was it like before??
Come on FL, leave us alone!!

6.) 25 Sep 2014
If he's allowed to trade in the UK, (which he is), if he's allowed to buy any business he likes, (which he can), and if he's allowed to register with HMRC and other regularity bodies, ( can't see why not ) then I don't see FL or PL having grounds for any refusal. That's what I have been trying to say.

7.) 25 Sep 2014
25 Sep 2014 15:49:35
hi i'm 32 and i'm a leeds fan the fl dose nt like leeds and they wld do any think to get leedsutd out of the football league and all this that they r having a go MC he is doing the best job leeds in a long time. the fl r trying to get MC out of the league if leeds get done for this then Birmingham City should get done as well and if u ask why the fl r having a go at MC about this boat thing and all he could get is a fine but the owner of Birmingham City is in jail and he is still aloud to run the club so the fl need to pull they finger out of they butt and leave leeds alone

8.) 26 Sep 2014
In my opinion, neither the FL or MC have a strong case, rules are rules but the spirit of enforcing those rules on someone who has and is investing in a club as MC is doing needs to be questioned. The case could be drawn out have numerous iterations and cost FL and Leeds a lot of money. My suspicion is it could also undermine the whole system. Therefore if MC is convicted of dishonesty in Italy, but considering his current good work for Leeds United and it's impact on the FL, would a suspended sentence not server a better purpose? It would be a victory for both parties and keep MC in check should his actions become less than go honourable or dishonest?

9.) 26 Sep 2014
It's a tricky one for FL. The wording of the rule basically says that an owner fails the fit and proper persons test if they have 'unspent convictions for dishonesty'.
In other words; having a conviction for dishonesty is not enough. That person would have to have been found guilty and currently be serving the sentence handed down to be deemed 'unfit'.
If Cellino gets a suspended custodial sentence, FL will try and block him.
If Cellino gets a fine and pays it with no commuted sentence, I can't see that FL would have any reason to reapply the test.
That Cellino's lawyer has lodged a formal appeal citing a great many problems with the latest ruling in his fraud case just prolongs the waiting. Personally, I think he should just pay a big fine and be done with it. Must have cost a fortune in lawyers, already but it's probably not the money that's driving his actions in this, more a point of honour. Italians, eh?

10.) 26 Sep 2014
Oh and on the 'can buy any company' argument. Think of FL as a private members club. They can't stop anyone owning a football club, that would be a restriction of trade but, they can apply their own rules to determine whether that football club gets it's 'share ticket' allowing the team to compete.
If the club's owner is banned, FL can't force them to sell but, owner would have to have very deep pockets to keep a football club running without the revenue of actually playing football.

11.) 26 Sep 2014
Also to add if it is just a fine he has got that is regarded as spent after 12months under UK law. If he can drag this out some more??

12.) 29 Sep 2014
Lufc spain, good point, and the conviction will be considered, under UK law, to be "spent" in March next year :)

13.) 29 Sep 2014
That's quite right LUFC Spain, but it won't get into the 12 months until fine is paid, not as you seem to suggest at commencement of proceedings. And of course if it turns out to be a custodial sentence, even a "Suspended" one that's a whole new ball game.