Massimo Cellino: Leeds United chairman's ban deferred

Massimo Cellino previously owned Italian club Cagliari

Leeds United chairman Massimo Cellino's Football League ban has been deferred pending the outcome of his appeal against the suspension.

Cellino was banned last month after being found guilty of an offence under Italian tax legislation relating to the non-payment of VAT on the importation of a Land Rover vehicle.

He appealed against the suspension and asked for his ban to be "stayed until the end of the appeal process".

No date has been set for the hearing.

The Football League said in a statement that Cellino would be able to "continue in his present capacity at the club until the appeal process has concluded".

The delaying of his ban will not affect the length of the suspension the Italian would serve if the League's decision is upheld.

Cellino, who took over at Elland Road in April 2014, recently pulled out of a deal to sell the club to supporters' group Leeds Fans United.

Leeds are 15th in the Championship after back-to-back wins.

Cellino's biggest controversies: a timeline

• April 2014: After initially being prevented from buying the club he successfully appeals and becomes the majority owner.

• May 2014: Manager Brian McDermott leaves the club after the end of the season.

• August 2014: His surprise replacement David Hockaday is sacked after just six matches.

• October 2014: Slovenian Darko Milanic is sacked after six games and just 32 days in charge.

• December 2014: Cellino is banned from running the club by the Football League after an Italian court finds him guilty of tax evasion. He appeals against the decision but is unsuccessful.

• March 2015: Cellino's ban is extended from March to the end of the 2014-15 season.

• May 2015: Replaces Neil Redfearn as head coach with former Brentford and Wigan boss Uwe Rosler.

• October 2015: On the same day he sacks Rosler and replaces him with Steve Evans the Italian is banned from running the club by the Football League for a second time. He has submitted his appeal against this decision. It is understood he faces further legal cases in his home country.

• November 2015: Vows to no longer attend matches. Changes mind about selling majority stake in the club to supporters' group Leeds Fans United.