Watford ‘probed’ over forged letter

LONDON, Oct 25, (RTRS): Watford are being investigated by English football authorities over allegations that the club falsified financial information before its current owner completed his takeover.

The Football League announced an inquiry into claims that a banking letter, allegedly forged to appear to be written by HSBC, was submitted when the Italian businessman Gino Pozzo took full control of the club from his father Giampaolo in 2014.

The letter was reportedly submitted to the Football League, which oversees clubs outside the Premier League, when Watford were a second-tier club in the Championship.

Watford also announced its own inquiry on Tuesday.

The Daily Telegraph printed a copy of the letter stating that the holding company which owns Watford, Hornets Investment Limited, had sufficient financial resources with HSBC for it to issue a “cash-backed unsecured bank guarantee up to the amount of £7 million” during the 201415 season, in which Watford went on to win promotion to the Football League.

An EFL spokesman confirmed that it had started an investigation into “serious allegations” and had contacted the club after receiving information from the newspaper.

“The club is now required to provide a full response to the allegations. Once that response is received, it will be fully considered and appropriate action will be taken under our rules and regulations.”