Massimo Cellino has declared that he will not resume his position as president of Leeds United when his Football League ban expires in April.
The Italian, who was told he had to step down as president for being subject to a disqualifying condition of the League's owners and directors' test, has made the decision as an attempt to clear his name and not involve the club directly.
Cellino's appeal to the League failed, but Leeds are now confident that he can clear his name by going to the Football Association and using Rule K.
Leeds chairman Andrew Umbers said in a statement this afternoon: "Massimo has made a decision to separately, and in his own name, challenge the Football League's decision...
"...Cellino is taking this independent action so that Leeds United is seen to be fully compliant with the Football League Rules and thus help the football club avoid any sanctions.
"[We] are optimistic as to the outcome of the Disciplinary Panel Hearing and of the Rule K Hearing."
Cellino said in a separate statement that he had sold a minority share in the club to comply with his Football League ban.
His statement read: "At first I suggested that my intention was to resume in April the office of President of Leeds United Football Club after expiration of the disqualification term.
"I will not do so and I had actually decided not to do so in January already, soon after the confirmation by the Football League of its verdict.
"I wish to point out that I have immediately complied with all the requests of the Football League and, for such purposes, I instructed my consultants to arrange for all required actions in order to ensure my prompt exit from any management responsibility in the club. After a due process, I have also sold – with a clear harm to my interests – a minority stake in the club, so that in no way I could be prevented from freely acting as an independent citizen and individual before any authority."
If Cellino's appeal to the FA is successful, then he could return as Leeds president in the future.
Pascal Lemesre
