Leeds United's Italian owner Massimo Cellino has confirmed that he will appeal the Football League's decision to disqualify him as owner of the Championship side.

The League said yesterday that the 58-year-old had failed their owners' test because of tax evasion charges in his homeland and asked him to resign from the club.

Cellino was given two weeks to appeal the decision and confirmed today that he would be doing just that, insisting that he was "honest".

"I have to appeal because this is all a big mistake," he told BBC Radio Leeds.

"It was a mistake from the beginning. The lawyers who are advising the Football League started off making a mistake, and to cover that they keep on making more.

"I am honest. I can show how I have run my club every day and how I have paid the bills and fixed this club. I am running this club the proper way."

If Cellino's appeal fails, he will still be able to return to the club from March 18 next year as the conviction will be spent under UK law.