Tuesday, 18th March, 2014
Prospective Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has been ordered to pay a fine of €600,000 by a court in Italy.
Cellino was accused of evading tax on a boat bought in the United States and then imported to Italy. The prosecutors in the case had asked for a fine of €1.16m to be levied against the Cagliari owner.
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But due to what the court judged "extenuating circumstances", Cellino has seen the fine lowered to €600,000.
Cellino is currently in the midst of a bid to take over English Championship side Leeds United.
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The Italian businessman has agreed to buy 75 per cent of the Yorkshire giants and it has even been claimed he is already bankrolling their expenses.
Cellino has been waiting for the green light from the Football League to complete the takeover, however being found guilty of avoiding import tax may have a bearing on whether or not he is judged a fit and proper person to own a football club.
The 57-year-old also saw his boat confiscated as part of the punishment, although Cellino plans to appeal the decision.
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