Cellino claims Leeds Fans United guilty of ‘telling fairytales’

Leeds Fans United (LFU) accused Cellino of “insincerity” after being informed by his lawyers this morning that he no longer intended to discuss a takeover with the organisation.

The message came less than a week after Cellino invited the group to acquire his 77 per cent shareholding in United and end his fraught 18-month spell as owner.

Cellino made the offer to LFU officials during a meeting at Elland Road on Friday and the supporters group - set up earlier this year with the original intention of buying a minority share in Leeds - has been working on a deal for the past four days.

LFU wanted Cellino to guarantee it a period of exclusivity, effectively protecting it from rival bids while it carried out due diligence, but the 59-year-old has refused that request.

Cellino said: “They say a lot of fairytales. They really are like kids in a sweet shop.

“They talk too much. It is dangerous, this kind of publicity.”