Watford may lose points and face fine over ‘forged letter’ claims as club starts internal investigation

Vicarage Road, the home of Watford FC
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Giuseppe Muro25 October 2016

Watford have called in independent solicitors to investigate allegations the club gave a forged bank letter to the Football League.

It is claimed that false financial information was submitted when Gino Pozzo became Watford’s sole owner in 2014.

The Daily Telegraph claim a faked document was provided as proof Pozzo had enough funds to bankroll Watford. The alleged forged letter was submitted when Watford were in the Championship.

The Football League are investigating and Watford will present the findings of their own investigation early next month.

There is no known precedent in English football for the offence but it is claimed Watford face a heavy fine and even a points deduction.

The Telegraph said there is nothing to indicate Pozzo himself had any knowledge of the letter.

In a statement released today, Watford chief executive Scott Duxbury said: “Watford were recently contacted by the EFL in relation to matters concerning a proof of funds document for £7million provided to the EFL by Hornets Investments Ltd in 2014 in order to ratify a change in Hornets Investments Ltd shareholding.

“The club had no prior knowledge of any concerns about the authenticity of the document and Hornets Investments Ltd has invested over £20m into the club since the proof of funds 2014 document.

"The club take this matter extremely seriously and have instructed independent solicitors to carry out an investigation into relevant matters and provide the EFL with the solicitors’ report early next month. The EFL have indicated they are happy with this course of action.”

A Football League spokesman said: “Once that response is received, it will be fully considered by the EFL and appropriate action will be taken.”

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