Leeds United

Massimo Cellino halts Leeds United funding until his takeover is ratified

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 12 March 2014

Prospective Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino tells the club that he will not inject any more funding until his takeover is approved by the Football League.

Prospective Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has told the club that he will not inject any more funding until his takeover is approved by the Football League.

Cellino, 56, agreed to purchase 75% of the club over a month ago, but his purchase is yet to be ratified because of looming tax evasion charges in homeland Italy.

Cellino has been funding player wages and the loan moves for Connor Wickham and Jack Butland in the past month but says that his payments will now stop until the Football League reach their decision.

"I have to wait for the decision of the Football League before I put any more money in," he told The Sun.

"I want to help Leeds and get to work but I cannot do any more until I am the owner."

He added in The Guardian: "I have been humiliated quite enough so far. At this point I wonder why I have been treated so badly after paying the salaries and debts over the past two months.

"I will wait until a decision by the League. If I am not accepted, I will go away silently like I came. I am too old to fight wars which are not mine."

If Cellino's takeover isn't approved and he does walk away, the club could be left crippled financially.

A statement from the Football League is expected next Tuesday after their next meeting on the matter.

On the pitch, Leeds have conceded nine goals in two home defeats in four days to drop out of the race for the Championship's playoffs.