Massimo Cellino appeals Football League ban after Leeds owner was hit with rap for tax evasion

Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has made good on his promise to appeal against a Football League ban for tax evasion.

The Italian had until Wednesday to launch the appeal against his disqualification, and Sportsmail understands the relevant papers have been handed in.

The Football League announced last Monday that the Leeds owner would be barred until June following a conviction in Italy.

Cellino had been found guilty for non-payment of VAT on a Range Rover in his homeland. The 59-year-old subsequently failed the league’s Owners’ and Directors’ test again.

Leeds face testing times should Cellino’s appeal be rejected. Sportsmail understands that his son, Edoardo, could take the reins for the remainder of this campaign.

There is also the possibility of one of the club’s members of management staff being given a promotion, although none have been thrust into the spotlight before.
The news comes on the same day Cellino is quoted as to have said he doesn’t know who former employee Lucy Ward is.
Ward is taking the club to an employment tribunal, claiming sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal.
The popular welfare officer was sacked by former chief executive Adam Pearson over the summer. Pearson was ordered to dispense with Ward – a former footballer herself – but sources at Leeds are still at a loss as to why she was sacked.
There are suggestions the decision boiled down to her relationship with ex-manager Neil Redfearn, who was also sacked last season. Those were not denied when put to Leeds.
Sportsmail has been told Cellino knows all too well who Ward is, despite him saying: ‘I don’t know Lucy Ward’ during an interview with the Independent.