Leeds president Massimo Cellino says he is prepared to resign his position for the good of the club

Leeds president Massimo Cellino has confirmed he will comply with the Football League's ruling to disqualify him as owner of the club.

Cellino is to appeal against the League's decision to ban him after it ruled he had failed its 'owners and directors test', but the 58-year-old Italian has told his fellow directors he will resign from the board to prevent further sanctions against the club.

Under League rules a range of sanctions could have been imposed on Leeds had Cellino refused to abide by its decision, with the ultimate penalty being the withdrawal of the club's Football League membership.

"I'm prepared to resign if it's what I have to do," Cellino told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

I'm fighting this and we think we will win so after the appeal I will be back

"I said to the other directors that I don't want to bring any problems on the club so if I have to resign in 28 days and then wait to finish my appeal, I will.

"I'm fighting this and we think we will win so after the appeal I will be back. But I don't want to give the League a reason to punish the club. So if I have to go then I'll go."

The League ruled Cellino must sever all ties with the club by December 29 and has until December 15 to lodge an appeal.

The former Cagliari owner was convicted in Italy of failing to pay import duty on his yacht in March and successfully appealed against the League's decision to block his takeover of the club in April.

The League has since received further evidence from the court in Sardinia, which confirmed Cellino had acted dishonestly, and subsequently deemed the Italian to be unfit to remain as owner.

Cellino will be able to resume as club owner on March 18 next year when his conviction is spent under UK law.

The League has confirmed that Cellino's appeal will be heard before the December 29 deadline.