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Cagliari chief Cellino chooses to stay in jail

Cellino said he would leave jail only when he was recognised as being innocent. He was arrested two weeks ago along with Mauro Contini, the mayor of Quartu Sant'Elena, the district where the stadium is located, and councillor Stefano Lilliu.

The trio were jailed after being charged with embezzlement and false representation over the rebuilding of the stadium which became the Sardinian club's home at the start of the season.

"Cellino has decided he wants to leave [prison] only when it is recognised that has nothing to do with the charges because he has not done anything illegal," his lawyer Benedetto Balleri was quoted as telling the ANSA news agency on Friday.

Three temporary stands were built but Cagliari's first match against Atalanta had to be staged behind closed doors after local authorities ruled the venue was not ready.

Cellino told fans the ground was safe, invited them to turn up for the game and accused the city government of placing bureaucratic obstacles in the club's way.

Cagliari played at the Stadio Sant'Elia from 1970 until midway through last season when they left because of disagreements with the local authorities and growing safety worries.