Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has Football League ban stayed until appeal process is completed

Celiino failed the Football League's Owners' and Directors' Test for a second time

Leeds owner Massimo Cellino (Getty Images)

Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has had his disqualification by the Football League stayed by the League Arbitration Panel, meaning he is free to continue his role at the club until his appeal has concluded.

A statement by the Football League read: “The Football League can confirm that Leeds United President, Massimo Cellino has had his disqualification under The Football League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test stayed by the League Arbitration Panel appointed to hear his appeal – enabling Mr Cellino to continue in his present capacity at the club until the appeal process has concluded.

“This will not affect the length of any disqualification served by Mr Cellino in the event that the League’s decision is upheld, as he would then be required to serve a period equivalent to that which he would have served had he chosen not to appeal the matter.

“This would equate to 223 days, which is the length of time between his disqualification becoming effective (November 12, 2015) and his tax conviction in Italy becoming spent under English law (June22, 2016).”

Cellino is already actively seeking to sell the Championship club, and he claims there is six parties currently interested in taking over his stake in the Yorkshire side.