LONDON (AP) - Leeds owner Massimo Cellino has been banned by the English Football Association from serving as a club director for 18 months for breaking agent regulations.
Both Cellino and Leeds, which plays in the second tier, have also been fined 250,000 pounds ($314,000) over striker Ross McCormack’s move to Fulham in 2014.
Cellino’s ban takes effect from February.
“I am not guilty and I will take the right steps to defend myself through the tribunal. I feel that I am guilty of one thing, protecting Leeds United,” he said.
The former Premier League club was bought by Cellino in 2014. It’s been a period of turmoil on and off the field, with the Italian previously overturning a ban from the Football League.
Leeds is fourth in the League Championship.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.