Monday, 19th January, 2015
Leeds United COO Matt Child hopes that Massimo Cellino will continue to remain as owner at Elland Road, despite seeing his appeal against a Football League sanction rejected.
Cellino learned today that his latest appeal against a Football League sanction for breaking its owners' and directors' test has been thrown out, meaning he must step aside as the relevant person at Leeds by Wednesday.
Cellino will have to resign from the Leeds board and give up his position at the club until 10th April, by which time his conviction for avoiding import duty on a boat in Italy, which his Football League sanction stems from, will be deemed spent.
Doubt has been cast over whether Cellino will continue at the club or look to sell his 75 per cent share and move on.
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And Child, brought in by the Italian to aid Leeds' administration, is desperate for him to remain.
"I can't speak for him, but I hope that he continues to own Leeds United and utilises his funds and his knowledge to allow us to get back into the Premier League and into Europe", the COO told the BBC.
Regardless however Child is confident Leeds' future as a club is not at risk.
"The club will go on. Fingers crossed, we are a strong club who have strong people working for us and even stronger people in the terraces and around the world.
"So I don't think anyone could ever suggest that Leeds United will wither away."
Cellino has been tipped to launch another appeal against his sanction, either with the English Football Association or by going through the courts.
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