Andy Couzens gives Twitter verdict on undercover sting on Leeds owner Cellino
By Will Butcher
Andy Couzens believes Massimo Cellino “hasn’t done anything wrong” after viewing the Telegraph’s undercover investigation into the Leeds owner.
Couzens claimed that the press are not the biggest fans of the Yorkshire giants, who has been accused of suggesting a bogus firm could buy a 20 per cent stake in Leeds to circumvent third-party ownership rules.
The former Leeds midfielder claimed that the media are also not fond of former Cagliari owner Cellino on his personal Twitter account, and that it would be “interesting” to see what happens but is of the opinion that the controversial owner is innocent.
Leeds released a statement that denied their Italian owner had committed any wrongdoing after being filmed by the Telegraph along with Barnsley’s assistant manager Tommy Wright and QPR manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
The 60-year-old is accused of suggesting a way that could effectively finance the purchase of players and then profit from their sale, during a meeting with football agent Pino Pagliara.
Cellino proposed that a firm could buy shares amounting to 20 per cent of the club, and in return would receive a 20 per cent cut of future sell-on fees from transfers.
Couzens, a Leeds academy graduate, made 37 appearances in all competitions for Leeds between 1993 and 1997, before moving on to play for the likes of Carlisle and Blackpool.
In other Leeds news, fans have reacted on Twitter to Cellino’s reported involvement.