Massimo Cellino has been sensationally banned from running Leeds United today, which could bode incredibly badly for the Yorkshire club, given his financial commitment.

However, there are systems in place that would allow Cellino to keep running the Whites going forward.

While the prevailing theory among fans has involved Cellino handing the club off to his son Edoardo, who is a director of the club, the Football League have previously made veiled references to the fact that they would not be fooled by that.

Either way, should Cellino be permanently disqualified, he would not be allowed to be a shadow director, for example one with a monetary influence over the club.

Instead, there is one method by which he could retain control.

Cellino will almost certainly appeal the decision by the Football League.

His conviction will also be spent by 18 March 2015, when he would be allowed to own the club again.

If the Football League’s decision goes through the appeal by Cellino, he will have 28 days to resign his position.

This means that he has to stretch the appeals process out until the last week of February, because if he can, whichever way the decision goes, he will be able to keep owning Leeds United.

There will be no way, at that point, for the Football League to force through his removal prior to the date at which point his conviction is spent.

Those Leeds fans who support his regime will be hoping that this will be the case.

Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has been ruled as disqualified from running Leeds United under the Football League’s Owners and Directors test, as reported by Rob Harris.

Breaking: Football League Board has decided Cellino is disqualified from owning Leeds under owners’ & directors’ test.

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) December 1, 2014

The Italian corn magnate’s ownership of the club has always been up for debate since he expressed an initial interest in buying the side.

He was initially disbarred from buying Leeds, and as a result, the Whites looked as though they were plunging toward administration under the ownership of Gulf Finance House.

Cellino was handed a reprieve however, as the independent appeals panel ruled that the tax case involving Cellino did not necessarily suggest he was guilty of dishonest acts until the full report came out.

Judge Sandra Lepore delayed releasing her report and then only initially released it to Cellino himself, which delayed the Football League’s findings further.

It now seems as though there will be issues for Cellino going forward, although he will almost certainly lodge another appeal.