BANNED Leeds owner Massimo Cellino accused Leeds Fans Utd (LFU) of telling “fairy tales” yesterday after telling them he would not be selling them the club.

A protest on Friday by Leeds fans, prior to the defeat to Blackburn, led to Cellino telling LFU that he would be willing to sell his controlling stake in the club to them.

And with Cellino’s lawyers due to meet with LFU yesterday in a bid to gain an exclusivity period, it seemed a deal between the two parties was edging closer.

But the Italian had a sudden change of heart and while he “can’t take any more” and still wants to sell the Championship club, it just won’t be to the fans.

LFU’s statement said: “Leeds Fans Utd has just been informed by the lawyers of Massimo Cellino that he no longer wishes to sell to Leeds fans.

“Our insistence on him confirming his verbal offer of exclusivity in a legally binding agreement has forced transparency on his motives.

“It is much better that we identify this insincerity now before we spend our shareholder’s money.

“This exercise has proved our capacity to adapt to any acquisition scenario very quickly.

“We now know we have the capacity to do both a minority and majority deal and it has shown that Leeds fans have a desire for fan ownership.

“We hope that Massimo will treat the club and fans with respect and honour.”

“They say a lot of fairy tales,” he told the Yorkshire Evening Post. “They really are like kids in a sweet shop.

“They talk too much. It is dangerous, this kind of publicity.”

Since Cellino took over, he has twice been banned by the Football League due to tax evasion charges in Italy.

And with the fans having now turned against him, Cellino is ready to wash his hands off the club.

“I’m very hurt and sad,” he said. “I can’t take any more.”