Massimo Cellino agrees to sell Leeds United to fans’ group
United would be the highest-placed English club to be owned by their fans
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The Leeds United owner, Massimo Cellino, has agreed in principle to sell his majority share in the club to supporters’ group Leeds Fans United. The Italian, who is appealing against a Football League ban, met with fans yesterday and said he would sell without making a profit.
Cellino told BBC Radio Leeds: “One hundred per cent I will sell to the fans, if they want to buy it and look after the club. The fans are the only asset the club has.”
The supporters’ group tweeted: “Leeds Fans Utd has today reached agreement in principle with Massimo Cellino to purchase a majority stake in Leeds United Football Club.”
Leeds Fans United was launched in April with the aim of buying a minority stake in the club and securing representation on the board.
Adam Pope of BBC Radio Leeds said: “There is a real malcontent around the club at the moment. He’s done some good in his time there but I believe the time is right for a change. I’ve spoken to Leeds Fans United and I don’t know how much money there is there now, but I know that there are people willing to back their initiative.”
Many supporters called on Cellino, who took over at Leeds last year, to quit after Thursday’s 2-0 home defeat by Blackburn Rovers left them 18th in the Championship. He recently made Steve Evans his sixth manager in 18 months.
United would be the highest-placed English club to be owned by their fans.
Earlier this week, Cellino said his tenure at Leeds had been “a nightmare”. He added: “I’m sad and embarrassed. My dream was to do my best but I’ve achieved nothing. I’m trying to protect the club but at the same time it means I have exposed myself. The result is that fans say, ‘Massimo, it’s time to go’. So I ask myself what am I doing here? The Football League say I’m dishonest. It’s a weird feeling. I thought I could do better but the pressure is too much.”
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