Leeds director Edoardo Cellino charged for social media comments

Leeds director Edoardo Cellino has been charged by the Football Association for comments he made on social media.

The son of controversial Leeds owner Massimo Cellino became involved in an abusive row with a fan in a private message exchange on Facebook in which he labelled the supporter a "spastic".

The FA said Edoardo Cellino’s charge includes an “aggravated breach” as his comments included a reference to disability.

“It is alleged the comments were abusive and/or insulting and/or improper in contravention of rule E3(1),” an FA statement read.

“It is further alleged that this breach of rule E3(1) is an ‘aggravated breach’ as defined in rule E3(2), as it includes a reference to disability.”

Edoardo Cellino, who later apologised for his comments, has until Monday to respond to the charges.

The Leeds fans’ protest group ‘Time to go Massimo’ welcomed the FA’s action.

A statement said: “As a director of Leeds United, this sort of behaviour is both deplorable and unacceptable towards fans of the club and would not be tolerated in any other professional environment.

“Leeds United has always prided itself on being a community football club and this goes completely against that ethos.

“It also, once again, throws the club firmly into the spotlight for the wrong reasons, and we find ourselves discussing matters off the pitch instead of on them.

“We are pleased to see the FA taking action against this sort of behaviour, and hope the club now follow suit.”