Hornets’ £4m fine
WATFORD have been hammered with a record £3.95million fine by the Football League over a forged bank letter.
The document, relating to owner Gino Pozzo’s takeover of the club in May 2014, allegedly provided proof he had sufficient funds to assume sole control at Vicarage Road.
Falsified to make it look as if it came from HSBC, the letter was submitted to the Football League three years ago.
After a 10-month inquiry, the Hornets were charged by the EFL in June, and pleaded guilty to two charges relating to the letter, which was submitted by former executive chairman Raffaele Riva.
The League revealed Watford would have been hit with an even steeper £5.75m fine, but it was discounted as the club co-operated fully with an independent investigation.
They were, however, ordered to pay £350,000 legal costs, leaving them with a massive £4.3m bill.