Il Presidente’s son has been charged by the FA after making abusive comments on social media, and the ‘Time to Go’ protest group are jolly cross about it.

Leeds United Director Edoardo Cellino, the son of club owner Massimo, has been charged by the Football Association, after he 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 charge includes an "aggravated breach" as his comments included a reference to disability, and Cellino junior has until next Monday, April 11, to respond to the charge. He later apologised for his comments when he spoke to the Daily Mail.

“I would like to apologise for any offence that I have caused. After receiving a lot of abusive messages my emotions got the better of me and I reacted in a way that was unprofessional. I believe the messages were private but I know I should not have done this. I did not fully understand the severity of the words used as English is not my first language. Again, I can only apologise.”

But this excuse has cut little ice with the fans' protest group 'Time to go Massimo', which has contrasted Edoardo’s treatment by the club with that of former assistant manager Steve Thompson this time last year. Thompson was sacked after allegedly making an offensive comment towards then sporting director Nicola Salerno, yet there is no sign of the boy Edoardo getting his marching orders from his dad.

'Time to go' said "Steve Thompson was suspended and his contract not renewed after allegedly... an almost identical offence. Steve Thompson vehemently denied this accusation, but was still punished by the club despite no proof of it occurring.

"There is irrefutable evidence, and Edoardo has admitted he has made the remarks; yet the club's reaction is to not comment on the matter apart from asserting that Edoardo apologised to the person he abused, and that it will be left at that.

"We find this steadfast refusal to suspend the club director from his employment at the club frankly disgusting in light of how other members of staff have been treated, and an embarrassment that the owner's son is allowed to abuse fans of the club unpunished. It seems it is one rule for anyone associated with the regime and one rule for everyone else.”

"Once again the Cellino family has dragged the once great name of Leeds United through the gutter, bringing upon us shame and embarrassment - something which has sadly become a common occurrence under the toxic ownership of Massimo Cellino."

So there we have it. I’m not sure what Edoardo actually does for Leeds United, but if he’s getting paid by the club we’ll have to hope it’s something useful. Whatever is, it looks like he’ll be free to keep on doing it for a while yet.

Photo: Action Images

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