League still waiting on details of Cellino’s Leeds bid

Cellino’s planned purchase of a 75 per cent stake in United from current owner GFH was discussed by the Football League’s board of directors at a meeting yesterday but the governing body is still to receive the information it needs to rule on whether to approve the Italian’s deal.

Cellino, the owner of Serie A club Cagliari, has indicated in the past 24 hours that he plans to fly into England from his home in Miami next week and attend a Football League hearing on Wednesday.

His deal to buy Leeds cannot be completed until the governing body grants approval, and two past convictions for fraud have raised questions about whether the League will allow Cellino’s takeover to proceed.

In a statement the League said: “At its meeting on Thursday, the board of directors of the Football League were appraised of the current situation regarding the ownership of Leeds United.

“The board were informed that the League is yet to receive all of the information it has requested from the relevant parties.

“The matter cannot be progressed further until the required information is forthcoming.”

In a further development, the League confirmed that is has refused to sanction Andrea Tabanelli’s loan from Cagliari to Leeds.

The 23-year-old moved to Elland Road shortly before last Friday’s transfer deadline - a switch organised by Cellino - and he spent this week waiting for the League to decide whether the deal was valid.

The League’s statement said: “Leeds United have been informed that the Football League has refused the registration of Andrea Tabanelli as the transfer did not comply with League regulations.”