:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51094747/507543504.0.jpg)
When news broke that the Telegraph had recorded prominent men in English football offering to break rules for money, all of us knew Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino could be at the center of this investigation. We found out tonight that we were right.
Our latest #football4sale allegations concern Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at QPR, Tommy Wright of Barnsley and Leeds United's Massimo Cellino
— Mark Hughes (@Hughes_Mark) September 28, 2016
The report put out by the Telegraph’s “Investigations Team” includes video of Cellino offering to get around FA rules to help the “investors” sponsor players and get a share of “the profit.”
Leeds United's Massimo Cellino is filmed offering to sell part of his club to help undercover reporters get around third party rules
— Mark Hughes (@Hughes_Mark) September 28, 2016
The video is pretty damning and must result in some sort of punishment from the FA. Leeds United (as of publication) has yet to comment on the video, but fireworks are undoubtedly coming.
Update: Leeds did put out a statement, calling this a “non-story.” Oh boy.
It’s available here...
Club statement: https://t.co/LlSGvmbLmR #lufc
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 28, 2016
What will anger fans the most though is yet another piece of all-too-common evidence that Massimo Cellino is a proper ***t. For the last 40 seconds of the video, our owner calls England the “worst culture in the world,” “specialised in screwing people,” “the more dirty people,” and then makes a mocking sound “mimicking snobbery.”
Also... adding insult to insult...
At first sight, it looks the meeting between Cellino and undercover reporters took place in the offices of Elland Road. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) September 28, 2016
If Cellino had any support left, or if the protest had died down during a fun September on the pitch, that has entirely changed tonight. People are... not pleased online.
Massimo Cellino should not be anywhere near football. Maybe the football authorities will realise what the #lufc fans been saying for ages.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) September 28, 2016
After 3 years of FL failure its time for @FA to step in and end this corrupt madness. #lufc
— LUFC Trust (@lufctrust) September 28, 2016
The fact Massimo Cellino has been able to get this far is an nothing less than a colossal failure on the part of English football
— Amitai Winehouse (@awinehouse1) September 28, 2016
If this gets Cellino out of Leeds I'll sign up as a lifelong subscriber to the @Telegraph #lufc
— Daniel Howard (@DanielHoward92) September 28, 2016
No wonder all our deals are 'undisclosed' #lufc
— RightInTheGaryKellys (@RITGK) September 28, 2016
To sum up. Massimo wanted to sell part of OUR football club for use in corrupting the game. #lufc
— The Scratching Shed (@TSSLUFC) September 28, 2016
The Telegraph destroyed Big Sam, I'm expecting big things now lads, don't let us down. We are all counting on you.
— We Are Leeds (@weareleeds_) September 28, 2016
Time to go, Massimo #LUFC pic.twitter.com/NSFDYv3ze5
— Rainy (@JtotheRain) April 14, 2016
Well, someone’s laughing.
— Lucy Ward (@lucyjward_) September 28, 2016
Oh and
We’ll keep you posted on developments here, but goodness gracious. What a ****ing mess.
MOT.