Leeds owner Massimo Cellino cleared of tax evasion in Italy

The controversial chairman of Leeds United, Massimo Cellino, has been cleared of accusations of tax evasion from his time as owner of Italian club Cagliari.

The case went as far back as 2007 to the transfers of former players Edgar Alvarez and Joe Bizera, but a government ruling introduced just two months ago means the offences are no longer punishable by law.

This stroke of luck for Cellino does not free him of the ban from English football imposed by the Football League in October. The season-long suspension refers to a separate case of tax evasion from his time in Italy, although it is being appealed by the unpopular entrepreneur.

Fans of Leeds have been left dismayed at both Cellino's running of the club and questionable business practices away from Elland Road, and staged a protest walkout in the win over Hull City last Saturday.