Watford to hold investigation over alleged forged banking letter
Tuesday 25 October 2016 12:48, UK
Watford have confirmed they are holding an internal investigation into the alleged falsifying of documents, that were presented to the footballing authorities during Gino Pozzo's takeover of the Hornets in 2014.
This follows a Daily Telegraph article which claimed a forged banking letter sent to the English Football League (EFL), showed that 'Pozzo had enough funds to bankroll Watford,' thus allowing him to take total control of the Hertfordshire team.
The newspaper feature describes how the fabricated letter appeared to be from global banking giant HSBC, who have since been shown a copy of the document.
An EFL Spokesman had earlier said: "We can confirm, following receipt of information from the Daily Telegraph, that we immediately commenced a disciplinary investigation into serious allegations made against Watford Football Club.
"The club has been formally contacted by the EFL and is now required to provide a full and detailed response to the allegations.
"Once that response is received, it will be fully considered by the EFL and appropriate action will be taken under our rules and regulations.
"We will not be making any further comment until we are in receipt of the club's response."
And on Tuesday, the Premier League club responded with a statement of their own which reads: "Watford was recently contacted by the EFL in relation to matters concerning a proof of funds document for £7m provided to the EFL by Hornets Investments Ltd in 2014 in order to ratify a change in Hornets Investments Ltd shareholding.
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"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 takes this matter extremely seriously and has instructed independent solicitors to carry out an investigation into relevant matters and provide the EFL with the solicitor's report early next month.
"The EFL has indicated it is happy with this course of action. In light of the ongoing investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
