Edoardo has apologised: 'I didn't understand the severity of the words'

Both sons are listed as directors at the Championship club

The relationship between Leeds ownership and fans reached new lows

Leeds United's ownership plunges new depths as Sportsmail reveals grotesque insults volleyed at supporters by two of Massimo Cellino's sons.

Ercole and Edoardo Cellino, both listed as directors at Elland Road, have abused fans in the last fortnight.

Their actions are highly derogatory towards women and the disabled, and are likely to provoke yet another response as the relationship between club and fans hits rock-bottom.

Edoardo Cellino insulted a Leeds United supporter during a conversation on social media

The son of Leeds owner Massimo used foul-mouthed language during the exchange on Facebook

Ercole Cellino made derogatory comments about a female supporter's weight on Instagram

Ercole Celino's comments have caused even more friction between Leeds' ownership and fans

One female was labelled a 'whale' and told to 'stop eating' by Ercole after sharing a photograph on Instagram. She has filed a complaint to the club which is not yet close to being resolved.

Separately, Edoardo became embroiled in a Facebook spat with another supporter. In the private message exchange the Italian called him a 'spastic', 'moron' and said 'go f*** yourself'.

During the conversation, he grew impatient at not receiving a response, replying to himself: 'So you have to think about it before you answer cause [sic] you are a spastic?'

Leeds are currently 18th in the Championship

The fan, who had provoked Edoardo by calling him a 't***' , had been told: 'You are nothing. You are no one.'

Edoardo later apologised in a statement to Sportsmail.

It read: '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.'

This drama comes as battle lines between Cellino and Leeds followers have been drawn, with mass protests staged against his stewardship over the last month and more planned in coming matches.

Their team still has work to do in retaining Championship status and the owner walked out halfway through Monday night's dismal 4-0 defeat at Brighton. The future of manager Steve Evans hangs in the balance.

Leeds offered no comment when the allegations were put to them on Thursday, hours after their financial accounts revealed former owners GFH Capital are still owed millions and they are running at a significant loss.

Leeds owner Massimo Cellino (left), pictured alongside Edoardo (upper centre) has faced several protests

Leeds supporters vented their frustrations during Monday's 4-0 defeat by Brighton in the Championship

Souleymane Doukara (left) and Lewis Cook look dejected during the loss to the Seagulls on Monday

GFH are due £17million, with £3.5m set to be paid over the next three seasons. The remaining amount, £13.5m, is payable on hypothetical Premier League promotion before 2019.

Should they not reach the top flight then the cash will be handed over in annual installments until 2032 - leaving Leeds in debt to the company for another 16 years.

Their turnover is down, with the club propped up to an extent by the sale of Ross McCormack to Fulham in July 2014.