The Football League have shown their desire for fair play by rejecting the application from Leeds United to appoint Massimo Cellino as a club director ahead of a full takeover.
The Italian was ready to take a 75% stake in the troubled Yorkshire side but that was blocked due to a conviction for failing to pay import tax on a yacht.
That single offence has prevented his take over from going through putting the club in danger of administration.
A statement from the Football League yesterday said: “The board considered detailed legal advice with regard to the application of its regulations within the context of a decision made under Italian law.
“Having fully considered the matter, the board agreed unanimously that the decision of the Italian Court does constitute a disqualifying condition under its owners’ and directors’ test.
“The relevant disqualifying condition being that Massimo Cellino has been convicted of an offence involving acts that would reasonably be considered to be dishonest.”
In Scotland no such rules exist with the onus on the club to ensure that any investor is of the right standing, that hands off approach has allowed Craig Whyte and Vladimir Romanov to devastate clubs with their brand of ownership.
Dave King is apparently involved in a bid to take control of Sevco without a word of caution coming from the SFA.
As well as being found guilty of 42 tax offences and being described as a glib and shameless liar by a South African judge King was a director of Rangers when it went into administration and ultimately liquidation.
The Alternative Investment Market wouldn’t allow King to take up a directorship but unlike the Football League it seems that the SFA have no problem welcoming a tax convict into the Scottish game.
