Championship: Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino plots Elland Road repurchase, despite disqualification

Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino plans to buy back Elland Road, despite being disqualified by the Football League.

Cellino won an appeal against the League's decision to block his takeover of the club in April but after considering evidence from an Italian court that has since convicted him of tax evasion, the governing body declared him in breach of their Owners' and Directors' test for a second time.

The Italian, who would be entitled to resume control from 18 March next year when his conviction will be deemed spent under UK law, intends to appeal Monday's latest ruling.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ on Tuesday, he accused the League of making a "big mistake" but insisted he would would fight on, pledging to buy back the ground sold 10 years ago amid crippling debts. 

We saved the club - no administration. It's a healthy club and it's not been like that for years. But we must buy back Elland Road.

Administration

"My goal for this club is to break even," Cellino, who claimed Leeds were losing around £1million a month when he first purchased a 75 per cent stake from Gulf Finance House (GFH), said.

"We saved the club - no administration. It's a healthy club and it's not been like that for years. But we must buy back Elland Road.

"Between (training ground) Thorp Arch and Elland Road the club is paying £2.7million in rent a year and that's wasting money. We could be spending it on something important like investing in players."

Leeds sold Elland Road in November 2004 to Manchester businessman Jacob Adler for £8m but have the right to repurchase the ground for a set fee at any time before November 2029.

Cellino had hoped to complete the £16m buy-back last month but claimed a wrangle with GFH had put it on hold.