Whale, moron and worse: What Leeds United director Edoardo Cellino called fans on Facebook and Instagram

Edoardo, who has been a member of United’s board since his father bought the club in April 2014, was cited over remarks made by him on Facebook and Instagram last month.

YP Comment: Leeds United owner’s son must be punished for insult to disabled

In angry online exchanges, Edoardo described one female fan as a “whale” and called another fan a “spastic” and a “moron”.

He later apologised for his comments, telling the Daily Mail: “I would like to apologise for any offence that I have caused.

“After receiving a lot of abusive messages my emotions got the better of me and I reacted in a way that was unprofessional.

“I believe the messages were private but I know I should not have done this. I did not fully understand the severity of the words used as English is not my first language. Again, I can only apologise.”

The FA said today that Cellino’s offence was seen as an “aggravated breach” due to the reference to disability.

He has until next Monday, April 11, to respond to the charge.

An FA statement read: “Leeds United director Edoardo Cellino has been charged by the FA in relation to comments made on social media.

“It is alleged the comments were abusive and/or insulting and/or improper in contravention of Rule E3(1).

“It is further alleged that this breach of Rule E3(1) is an ‘aggravated breach’ as defined in Rule E3(2), as it includes a reference to disability.”

The Leeds fans’ protest group ‘Time to go Massimo’ welcomed the FA’s action.

A statement said: “As a director of Leeds United, this sort of behaviour is both deplorable and unacceptable towards fans of the club and would not be tolerated in any other professional environment.

“Leeds United has always prided itself on being a community football club and this goes completely against that ethos.

“It also, once again, throws the club firmly into the spotlight for the wrong reasons, and we find ourselves discussing matters off the pitch instead of on them.

“We are pleased to see the FA taking action against this sort of behaviour, and hope the club now follow suit.”

Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston was hit with a six-week ban from football last year after being found guilty of calling a supporter a “massive retard” in a text message.