Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has vowed that he'll return to the club after his disqualification from involvement in the Football League expires in April.

Cellino has been disqualified from owning Leeds

The Italian businessman, who came under scrutiny from authorities for possible cases of tax evasion, had his appeal against the disqualification overturned on Monday - and now faces three months away from the club he owns.

Despite the short-term ramifications of the ban, his long-term future with the club is also in doubt - as the controversial owner is due to face further tax evasion cases in Italy later this year.

It's thought Cellino will meet with his legal team today to discuss the running of the club in his absence, although he has been dismissive of the effect his ban will have.

"This changes nothing," Cellibo said to the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“I’ll abide by the rules, I’ll resign but then in April, finito, I’ll come back. I was signing the cheques before.

“Now someone else will sign them for me. The club has been looked after.

“The League say I must go but where do they want me to go? Miami or Cagliari? I’ll go where I like and I’m going nowhere. If I want to live in Leeds, I’ll live in Leeds. I’ll follow the rules but I’ll stay in Leeds.”

With relegation a real threat and doubt over the club's finances looming, Cellino's ban has thrown Leeds' longstanding money issues back into the limelight.

However, the Italian dismissed doubts over the financial wellbeing of the club during his trial, saying: “the club is healthy, it has wealth. It will pay its bills while I’m not here, that is no problem.”

Leeds sit just three places above the ominously close relegation spots, and Cellino's disqualification makes their fight to stay up even more desperate.

"This disqualification kills us,” he said. “We have to persuade players to come and we have to persuade players not to leave us. A lot of the players want to leave.”

Cellino will now face a misconduct hearing - the date for which has not yet been announced - at which, should he be found guilty, his ban could be extended.

Leeds United play league leaders AFC Bournemouth at Elland Road on Tuesday night.