The Football League have announced that Massimo Cellino's impending takeover of Leeds United has been granted.
The Italian businessman won his appeal against the league's initial decision to ban his company Eleonora Sport Ltd from gaining control of the Championship club.
The 57-year-old's agreed 75% ownership of the club was blocked after he was convicted for tax evasion in Sardinia, but Cellino has now been given a clear path to complete the takeover.
A Football League spokesman said: "At its meeting in London today, the board of directors of the Football League considered the outcome of the recent appeal by Massimo Cellino under the Owners' and Directors' Test.
"In making its original decision, the board took the view that Mr Cellino's recent conviction in Sardinia was for an act that 'would reasonably be considered to be dishonest' and that he was therefore subject to a disqualifying condition.
"In the current absence of detailed reasons for the conviction from the Sardinian Court and having taken into account the principles of Italian law, an independent QC reached a different conclusion. On this basis, Massimo Cellino is cleared to be a Director of Leeds United."
Cellino recently suggested that manager Brian McDermott would keep his job, despite rumours regarding the former Reading boss's future.
Danielle Joynson
