Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino addresses corruption allegations: 'I have not committed crimes'

Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has now come forward to address the recent allegations of corruption against him.

Earlier this week, Cellino was caught on camera by allegedly discussing an investment deal which would offer way around FA and Fifa rules on transfers.

In a video, published by The Daily Telegraph, Cellino can be seen offering a fake investment firm a stake in Leeds United for which it would then receive money in players’ sell-on fees.

Although third-party ownership of players is banned by the FA, Cellino suggested to the undercover reporters that selling a 20% stake in the Championship club would return “20% of the profit of the player.”

Cellino spoke about his application in the Telegraph’s investigation to Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Club’s chairman said: “I have not committed crimes. I have not committed corruption. I have only mentioned a business strategy.”

This comes only a day after Leeds United released a statement which cleared Cellino of doing anything illegal, branding the allegations as a “non-story.”

The Club said: “The Club has reviewed the supposed “evidence” that the Daily Telegraph have published tonight. At no time in this video clip has Mr Cellino suggested getting around the FA’s rules on third-party ownership of players.

“In complete contrast to what has been suggested, Mr Cellino has made a perfectly proper suggestion which is entirely consistent with the FA’s regulations, as the only parties entitled to take benefit from ownership of a player is the Club itself.

“If a company commits money to a Club by way of investment, taking on the potential for profit but also the risk for loss, then that is a normal, every-day corporate process.

“This is plainly not a suggestion as to how to circumvent the rules, but rather, an accurate albeit concise explanation of how to operate within the confines of the rules and effectively become “the Club”.

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