Leeds United: Massimo Cellino timeline

Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino is under pressure to sack his son after club director Edoardo was charged by the Football Association for abusive comments made to a fan on social media. The incident is the latest in a catalogue of controversies to have dogged the Italian since he took control in April 2014.
Massimo Cellino.Massimo Cellino.
Massimo Cellino.

Here is a look at Cellino’s stormy tenure at Elland Road:

April 5 2014 - Independent QC overturns Football League’s decision to disqualify Cellino due to a tax conviction and Italian completes club takeover after agreeing deal in January to buy 75 per cent stake from Gulf Finance House.

May 30 2014 - Manager Brian McDermott, who Cellino had previously tried to sack, departs club by mutual consent.

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June 19 2014 - Former Forest Green boss Dave Hockaday appointed head coach.

August 28 2014 - Hockaday sacked after six games.

September 22 2014 - Former Sturm Graz manager Darko Milanic appointed.

October 25 2014 - Milanic sacked after six games.

October 27 2014 - Acadmey boss Neil Redfearn signs rolling contract to become head coach.

December 1 2014 - Cellino disqualified by Football League for three months after Italian court confirms tax evasion had been dishonest act.

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March 5 2015 - Cellino ban extended from March until end of 2014/15 season.

April 2 2015 - Redfearn’s assistant Steve Thompson suspended following alleged fall out with director of football Nicola Salerno.

April 18 - Six first-team players withdraw from Redfearn’s squad before 2-1 defeat at Charlton.

May 8 2015 - Cellino returns to office at Elland Road.

May 20 2015 - Uwe Rosler appointed head coach. Redfearn reverts back to academy boss.

July 16 2015 - Redfearn resigns.

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October 19 2015 - Football League announce Cellino disqualified following another tax conviction in Italy. He appeals again. On same day Rosler is sacked after 12 games and Steve Evans appointed.

October 30 2015 - Cellino announces he will sell club to fans’ group Leeds Fans United.

November 4 2015 - Former Cagliari owner changes his mind over the sale, accusing Leeds Fans United of telling “fairytales”.

December 5 2015 - Leeds fans protest at ‘pie tax’ during home game against Hull after introduction of a mandatory £5 increase on South Stand ticket prices in return for food and drink vouchers.

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December 29 2015 - Cellino relents at last minute to avoid Football League action after banning Sky Sports production crew from entering Elland Road to broadcast game against Derby.

February 10 2016 - Cellino insists he was joking after telling an Italian newspaper ‘pie tax’ introduced as punishment to fans who criticised him.

February 14 2016 - Leeds deny taking legal action against Football League in bid to dismantle collective selling of television rights and instead sell their own games.

February 29 2016 - Cellino instructs Evans not to speak to media after 4-0 defeat at Brighton. Later accuses head coach of “talking too much”.

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March 4 2016 - Cellino’s sons and club directors Ercole and Edoardo involved in abusive social media exchanges with club fans. Edoardo later apologises after calling one a “spastic”.

April 6 - Football Association charges Edoardo for abusive and insulting comments and an “aggravated breach’’ as they included reference to disability. Leeds refuse to comment and are branded “disgusting’’ and an “embarrassment’’ by fans’ group ‘Time To Go Massimo’.