Massimo Cellino: from vincerò to “I win”
The Football League has said it is “disappointed” with QC Tim Kerr’s Massimo Cellino decision and will now “consider the findings”. The reality of the matter, however, is that the League are surely out of options for the time being, and will have to swallow the bitter pill of defeat. From their point of view, this will involve the grudging acceptance of Cellino as Leeds United owner, something they clearly feel will lower the tone of their closed shop of club owners. This comprises, as previously detailed, a convicted rapist, a jailed money-launderer and sundry other less-than-saintly characters.
The incongruity of those facts against the League’s determined and intransigent stance on Cellino – who, by comparison, is something of an angelic choirboy – does not appear to have occurred to the buffoons in the corridors of power. Are they really that stupid, or is the apparent contradiction indicative of some Machiavellian policy of thwarting Leeds United? There is much evidence to suggest that this is not mere paranoia; the League have inflicted harm on the Elland Road club at every possible opportunity over the last half century – a continuation of the policy pursued by the late and unlamented Alan Hardaker, confirmed Leeds and Revie hater. Mr Hardaker is presumably spinning in his grave right now; bad cess to him.
The news of Cellino’s stunning success, a tribute to the outstanding advocacy of his legal team, came hard on the heels of what will surely now be seen – in retrospect – as the most meaningless and painless defeat ever, at Wigan. The performance of the team was better, with more effort and pride on display, as we had all wished on this anniversary of the despicable murders in Istanbul. The only real downside was the paucity of attacking effect – but shortly after the game ended, it all ceased to matter. Cellino is in, we have a fabulously wealthy owner of the kind of maverick personality which goes with Leeds and its fans like vino rosso goes with pasta. Monday is Day One of a new era for Leeds United and it seems certain that a very interesting ride is ahead of us all – to say the very least.
What we now have to beware of is the backlash of the Football League who, in their rage and grief, are hardly likely to look upon our beloved Whites with any less hatred and contempt than they have in the past. We can expect no justice from the imbeciles who run the League; it must be a priority to climb out of it under our own steam at the earliest opportunity – and fall upon the tender mercies of the FA.
Meanwhile, defeat at Wigan behind us and irrelevant, we can afford ourselves some celebration and look forward to better times ahead. No more grinding poverty, the energy-sapping affliction that seeps into the very soul over a period of time. It’s a whole new mentality from here on in – no longer the tenants in hock to some faceless suits who control Elland Road stadium, no longer wondering if we can afford the latest dubious talent from League One. For Leeds United and its devoted, deserving, unrivalled and amazing fans – it’s a whole new ball game from here on in.
For once in a very long while, we have taken on rigid authority and won. The Football League mandarins have been made to look the inept fools that they are – and I have no hesitation at all in saying to Shaun Harvey and his cronies: Up yours, get stuffed and sod off.
I mean that, of course, in the nicest possible way.
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
Football league have nowhere to go read para 121 of Tim Kerrs judgement
Sent from my iPad
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Do you have a source for that?
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I think this refers to the opportunity the FL had to appeal MC’s appeal date, which they didn’t , if i read it rightly.
It does not refer to their right to appeal, which i assume will be on the table this week at the ( scum ) FL.
Well done Tim Kerr.
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Is it possible the FL could launch their own appeal against the decision?
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Apparently para 121 of Tim Kerr’s judgement deals with that and rules it out – we had been hearing that he intended to make a watertight judgement. So it may well be that the FL options are reduced to simply sulking – though doubtless if there’s a chance for them to make even bigger twats of themselves, they’ll snatch at it.
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For Completeness;
121. Still less do I accept his [Taylor representing FL] alternative submission that he ought to be taken to have failed the OAD test pending receipt of the judge’s full reasons, in order to avoid him having to stand down in a short time once they become available. That is not what the rules say. If the League had wanted to secure that outcome, it
could have asked for an adjournment of the appeal, but it did not do so.
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WEareSAVED JUST ONE MAS SEEEMO,big thanks to the QC& although we had the dullBMCD look we actually passed the ball to day at Wigan
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Click to access cellino_v__fl_ltd_pcc_decision.pdf
This will give you the source. It’s a closely reasoned decision, including nuances of Italian law.
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Thanks, that’s really helpful.
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What joy; is that all over now or is something else around the corner; sorry but cant help thinking like this.
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If anyone wants to plough through the whole judgement, here it is:
Click to access cellino_v__fl_ltd_pcc_decision.pdf
I think the gist is that MC is OK – until and unless he’s adjudged guilty after appeal etc etc
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I’m not sure if this is a malicious rumour or not, but apparently under the terms of the GFH sale to Eleanora, David Haigh becomes CEO and Salah Nooruddin chairman.
If that is the case we might have just seen the beginning of it.
If only things could be as eventful on the field – where it matters – than off it. Right now Leeds is certainly NOT about football.
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Rob, I don’t think there will be an appeal by the FL but I always assumed that one of the downsides of having Cellino as owner is that the FL will always try and make our life difficult, what with referees, red card appeals and other possible sanctions
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That is, of course, a stunning indictment of the League’s supposed impartiality and fairness – and of the way it is perceived by fans of certain clubs under its jurisdiction. But I really fear you might be right. I think we will all be keeping a very close eye on how our club is treated b y authority from here onwards.
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Nothing will have changed then. The league has always tried to put leeds down
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Absolutely agree with everything you said Rob…..We do indeed need to get out of the Football league as fast as possible, preferably the right way…… There was a rumor that Mps are demanding an investigation into the Football Leagues alleged lack of impartiality ……..hope that’s true
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I bet David Haigh is a worried man now.He should be charged with treason &crimes against LEEDS UNITED.
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marciare su insieme
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Rob, this seems a good time to say how much I have both valued and enjoyed your Leeds blogs. You write brilliantly. Your latest on the wonderful takeover news and comments re the arseholes running the league are perfect. Well done mate !!
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That’s really kind of you and much appreciated.
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Happy days for Leeds now.
Will there be a way in the near future for the club to buy the other 25% and rid ourselves of GFH.
or are they staying put to wait and
re-coup some money ?
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Great news. Fantastic news, and some sleepful nights ahead. I’ll dream of Mossimo throwing his millions around our stadium that we will soon own again. I’ll dream of 2014/15’s Leeds team being full of players that WANT to play for our famous white shirts. Bring on next season…..
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Thanks Rob for putting all our thoughts into words!
The reality is we won’t be relegated and frankly this team even if we had squeezed into the play off’s just isn’t good enough to go up.
Well done the Leicester and that is exactly how we want to do it next season!
Belt up tight everyone for the ride of our lives!!
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If we hadn’t sorted out the ownership I believe we could easily not have picked up enough points to keep us above relegation. Suddenly I have no worries – from here on in I think we’ll win more points than we drop. Even with this shower of players…
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They’ll snatch it alright. I expect a lot of refereeing decisions will go against us next season. I read their statement with disbelief,particularly the mention of “integrity”. Who are they kidding for gods sake? Anyway Cellino,you know what to do now,look up the train timetable for trains to Reading. 3 seats,standard class.
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Quick mention for wigan today who organised the minutes applause on 14 minutes to mark the anniversary. A rare and impressive show of class.
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Indeed, well done Wigan – that showed a nice touch of class.
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Thanks for clearing that up for me rob mot
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Hey Rob…guess your neighbor’s friend was right (rumors can be right!) If we read between the lines, it seems that the FA wanted to look good…pretend to protect the league with their self-righteous talk…are probably pretending to be shocked, when in actuality, they probably knew that they would lose the decision and would be able to save face by showing how “powerful” they were to most of the public, who are ignorant to the double standards these guys maintain.
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I’m not so sure, Brad. I’ve seen the judgement now (there’s a link to it in the comments thread of one of today’s blog articles) – and to say the FL defended their decision with zeal is masterful understatement. They tried EVERYTHING. I think that the gloves are off between Leeds and the FL now and I slightly fear for what a bunch of thwarted and vindictive egos might visit upon us next.
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We can make a start by beating blackpool. An extra up yours to the rapist for voting against cellino.
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Indeed. Their attempts to have the independent expert – Professor Maffei’s – submissions discounted more than suggests they were not going through the motions just to save face. They wanted their disqualification to stick alright.
Ciao & forza Leeds!!!
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Much wailing and gnashing of teeth at the FL this evening as they reach for their rule book and dust off financial fair play. After all it wasn’t a problem when cuddly ‘appy ‘arry was spending squillions at nice QPR they could turn a blind eye to that, but nasty Leeds Utd coming into money? That’s not in the script. I suspect a few sleepless nights at Loftus Rd, The Whitdean et al as the Football League prepare to clamp down on them so that they can be seen to be in the right when they attempt to hammer the the leviathan that is LUFC as it just possibly, may be waking from its 12 year stupor. In the words of my fellow fans at the JJB today “F*** off to the football league” nothing personal chaps its in our dna. Now where did I leave my chianti?
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When you find it – cheers!
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It’s fantastic news at last. Now the first thing that Cellino must do is to sack the clueless McDermott and bring in someone like Billy Davies, who could finally instil some passion and motivation back into the leaderless Leeds players.
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Billy ‘job done ‘ Davis. I don’t think so. Zola or di Matteo.
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Clarke or Mackay? MC is no longer set on Italians according to his TNS phone call.
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Yachts a matter you haigh gotta no respect.
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Thanks for the usual insightful commentary Rob. Love your style. My own take on the match was we were poor 1st half & ok 2nd. At least you could see some effort. Brown lived on a knife edge. Respect to Wigan fans. Nice touch. Really hope MC is a GOOD New Dawn. We have had awful people running the club for 12 years. It won’t be boring! I do hope Cellino & Farnan can work together as both groups would seem to have strengths. I wonder what money is behind Together Leeds.
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Great news – really great news – and a great relief. Well done Rob for brilliantly charting this seasons’s ups [not many] and downs [too many] with great style, insight and wicked humour. Let’s hope that we can celebrate the dawning of a new era with a WIN at Watford on Tuesday. Highly symbolic gesture for 2014-15? A real All White strip! As worn by BB in your picture below. Onwards and upwards!! MOT 🙂
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First time in years I can look forwards to a new season with hope and optimism.
Great news.
Also like to say thankyou to the wigan supporters for being classy and showing respect.
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Respect to the Wigan fans much appreciated for that with the anniversary silence. An honest QC! Who’d have believed it? Happy days on way! I know we all moaned about Cellino but he did one thing others didn’t..put money where mouth is!!
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One last thing. The blogger guy here is spot on,eloquent and realistic GREAT JOB! No i wasn’t bribed ha ha! We have endured way Man U pussies would be crying all year! To hear our fans singing “Marching On Together” when we yet again are losing best fans in England!
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Referring back to a comment i posted over a week ago regarding what would happen first,the takeover or the discovery of the missing plane. Does anyone know what time the chinese found that black box today? Just curious you know.
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Have you got a bet on this??
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No just curious. It was strange that both events occurred on the same day.
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The Football League definately need to be held accountable. The court case shouldn’t have even factored had they used the same discretion and speed they use for other clubs.
Even now they’re trying to delay while they ponder the outcome. It’s simply unreal if they get away with it. We should take them to court for the torment and torture they have put us through, not to mention how many points we have lost as a result of the off field antics they’ve posed upon us. We were still only about 6 points off the play offs when the deal should have gone through. Might not have made the play offs but we will never know now, they could have cost the club PL millions so make them accountable.
The one pleasure I do have now is I will always see the as Fecking Losers everytime I see them referred to as the FL
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Doesn’t para 124 mean that if the reasoned judgement of the yacht case ( not available to the QC, but will be by June 2014) says that Mr Cellino was dishonest, the FL could then declare him a not fit and proper person and disqualify him. The Qc has only said that he considers the evidence available now does not disqualify him.
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124. I conclude that it would not be reasonable on the evidence before me to consider Mr Cellino’s conduct to be dishonest and that accordingly he is not subject to a Disqualifying Condition. It follows from my reasoning above that if the reasoned ruling of the court in Cagliari discloses that the conduct of Mr Cellino was such that it would reasonably be considered to be dishonest, he would become subject to a Disqualifying Condition. But that is not a matter that is before me.
That is the crux of the matter. The OAD test may work in principle but, while it is one thing to prohibit an individual from purchasing a club To apply the same test to an incumbent owner and find them in breach would open one unholy can of worms.
Liquidation, reconciling points to other clubs who gained/lost points to a club no longer able to fulfill a season’s competition. Player, staff, creditor, remuneration etc etc. They would surely have to achieve a resolution during the closed season to minimize the impact but, even then,, given the choice, surely,most clubs in Leeds’ league would prefer the revenue from their inclusion. Not to mention the players, staff and creditors. Even the the FL can’t be that vindictive. Can they?
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Wasn’t the 15 point deduction made during the close season, and didn’t the majority of clubs in League One vote for this, possibly influenced by the revenue they gain from the vast numbers of away Leeds United supporters?
Having said that, I think that Rob’s considered blog has got it spot on in describing the chances of this happening.
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I am glad that it now looks like we are owned by someone with sufficient money to give us financial security. I am also pleased that the owner is someone with experience of running a footlball club. I am charmed by his evident passion for the game and enthusiasm for Leeds United. However my joy is not unconfined. Mr Cellino’s dishonesty has not been proven, but Mr Kerr’s reasoning does not absolve him of recklessness. For this reason, despite it running against my preference for single ownership, I welcome the checks and balances that an alliiance with the Farnan consortium would bring.
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Quite clear from the judgment that the FL were outflanked by the professor.It would be interesting to see what the FL board minutes showed when they decided to reject Cellino . Let’s hope we can leave the bunch of losers at the FL behind next season and move on up. Shaun Harvey should be ashamed at the lengths the league have gone to to try and destroy our club. Can we have a resignation please?
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Excuse me WE didn’t all moan about Cellino coming in ,if he had been in 1st time wewouldhave had 12 games upto now with out BMCD
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I was doubtful of the outcome because the QC is a Chelsea fan but I didn’t take into account he may have disliked Bates and Harvey! Never mind now it is all done and dusted and Massimo is in charge.
Well written as always Rob and yes we have to keep a close eye on what the assholes at the FL try to do to us in future.
Respect to Wigan today for showing true class too.
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makes you smile rob that after months of staying quiet the FL were so quick in mouthing off , have they not heard of a dignified silence
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I’m ever so slightly worried though, Mr O, that there may be something in the “reasoned judgement” due by June for them to pounce on and stir things up again. Hell hath no fury like pompous gits thwarted…
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you know how to flatten my beer rob
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Sorry – just about to blog on this very subject, so beware!
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Reblogged this on altwoodmoon's Blog and commented:
This is not the final chapter of this story!
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god I would love to see the expression on the smug toad faced little shit Sean Harvey this morning! Spent years trying to destroy leeds united, thought his biggest opportunity had come and its now been cruelly ripped away from him-and by a Chelsea suppoting QC of all people!
Enjoy your weekend Harvey…
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Little ditty in honour of the auspicious occasion:
We’re Dirty Leeds
We’re filthy rich
The Football League is
Cellino’s bitch
🙂
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Love it Rob. That’s the chorus, why not have a bit more fun and write a few verses too. It could be quite therapeutic……
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We could even have a competition 🙂
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Lads and lassies.
I know the cliche about beggars and their limited choices, and it is nice that our beloved Leeds United is not about to go into administration, or even worse, go bust completely. However… and there was going to be a “however”, wasn’t there?… this guy is a headbanger. He beats an AC/DC concert single-handedly.
And as far as being filthy rich goes, he might be significantly richer than you, me, and maybe even Rob, but by the standards of Chelscum’s and Manc City’s owners, he is in the ha’penny place.
Another Leeds blog I have a lot of time for, Lee Chapman’s Sofa, encapsulates it a lot better than any amount of verbiage from Yours Truly:
http://leechapmanssofa.wordpress.com/2014/04/06/leeds-united-the-bumpy-future-with-more-loose-ends-than-in-cellinos-hair/?
We’re better off than we were, and at least Chelscum Bates is out of the picture, but let’s see where it all ends.
Sorry to spoil the party.
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Over to you, Leeds Mick! 😉
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