Massimo Cellino is not going to put any more money into the club for the time being, but GFH are at pains to stress they are doing all they can to get his takeover through.

Cellino has told the Sun that he won’t make any more payments until such time as his takeover is approved by the Football League. : "It has been a black hole and things cannot carry on like this.I have to wait for the decision of the Football League before I put any more money in. I want to help Leeds and get to work but I cannot do any more until I am the owner."

And the Guardian quoted him as saying "I have been humiliated quite enough so far. At this point I wonder why I have been treated so badly after paying the salaries and debts over the past two months. I will wait until a decision by the League. If I am not accepted, I will go away silently like I came. I am too old to fight wars which are not mine."

I don’t know how he can claim to have arrived at the club silently, after the high profile farce he created by trying to sack McDermott on transfer deadline day, but his decision could leave Leeds facing a funding crisis until a decision is made on his takeover. The Football League board will discuss the issue at their meeting tomorrow, but is expected to wait for the outcome of Cellino’s latest court case in Italy next week.

Which raises the question of whether GFH can afford to fund Leeds in the meantime, especially as the wage bill has been increased still further by the loan signings of Butland and Wickham, which GFH were expecting Cellino to fund. Their statement on the official site says nothing about that situation and simply says they are doing all they can to get the takeover through.

“We know it is frustrating for our supporters, but please rest assured that Eleonora Sport and GFH Capital are co-operating fully with the Football League's requirements and are working towards a conclusion. GFH Capital remains in full control of Leeds United until such time that the share transaction is ratified by the Football League.”

They “would like to thank the Leeds United fans for your continued support”, but the attendance last night was a disappointing 19,915. It would have been one more if my car hadn’t let me down on the way to Leeds, and a few others might have got stuck on the M62, but it’s no surprise that we’re all feeling few up with the team’s latest slump in form. Now the play-offs are out of reach it’s likely that crowds will drop still further, with obvious consequences for our financial situation.

Last night we had another dire result despite the changes in personnel and formation, and again Brian McDermott put the blame on the takeover situation. "We would love to get some stability at the club so we can move forward. Uncertainty over the future ownership has been dragging on for such a long time that there is apprehension around the place and the main conversation is about the ownership."

Is that all there is to it, or has he simply lost the ability to inspire this group of players? Do they suspect he’ll be turfed out if and when Cellino is allowed to take control? Whatever is going on in the dressing room it’s clear that we need a decision on the takeover ASAP so we can either get Cellino in or look for alternatives. Over to you, Football League.

Photo: Action Images

Portsmouth Polls