Leeds United have confirmed that they are taking legal advice after the Football League disqualified Massimo Cellino from owning the club.

The Football League made the decision on Monday in relation to the Italian's conduct in a recent tax evasion case against him.

Cellino has been asked to step down from his position at Elland Road, but Leeds believe that such a measure would be destabilising for the club.

"The club is in the process of taking legal advice on the reasoning of the decision. In the interim, the club notes that nothing has changed since the decision of the Football League's Professional Conduct Committee in April 2014," read an official statement.

"The steps that the League wishes the club to take – to remove Mr Cellino only to re-appoint him in three months' time - will be destabilising for the club, its supporters and sponsors and cannot be in the best interests of any party."

Cellino has 14 days to appeal the Football League's decision.