Luton Outlaws - Independent Message Board for Luton Town FC

Oh dear Gumbo

Lord Ashcroft, a non dom, liar and tax evader bailed out Watford in 2009 when they came close to going into administration - he was exposed by the Paradise papers leak.
Bassini was a former bankrupt. "Mr Bassini had entered into two agreements with finance company LNOC without the knowledge of Watford's board, which under League rules should have resulted in the club being under a transfer embargo for 11 months in 2011 and 2012."
That had a direct impact on the pitch - as it enabled them to buy and pay players which obviously affected games in which those players played. He and Watford were found guilty of misconduct and financial irregularities but got away with a very short transfer embargo. Bassini was involved in the “safegate" scandal and wore a red builders helmet in interviews. He allegedly stole £1.5m from the club. Made bankrupt again shortly after selling to the Pozzo family.
Pozzo senior caught match fixing at Udinese and BANNED for five years.
Pozzo junior caught evading tax and had to do a deal to escape prosecution.
Mrs Pozzo, “The Iron Lady of Football,” had to step in to run Udinese while her husband and son were involved in the above activities. As she refused to relinquish control, Pozzo senior and junior had to buy Granada and Watford so they would have football clubs to manage.
Pozzo junior and senior prosecuted for tax fraud, false accounting and embezzlement but managed to plea bargain.
2014 - Italian Tax Police raided the Udinese club offices for the 2nd time - the first resulted in £9m being paid in back tax and fines
2014 - Pozzo Junior took control of Watford based on forged HSBC papers.
2016 - Granada offices raided by tax officials investigating the failure to declare £11m in commission.
2016 - Petition started to make Watford pay their staff the living wage
2017 - Found guilty of of the biggest fraud in British football history, a fraud which the club admitted and fined £4m.