No action against the club. No fine or points deduction. But a transfer restriction. http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/130318-fdc-statement-720505.aspx http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sp...assini_banned_for_three_years/?action=success
FOLLOWING the publication today of the independent Football Disciplinary Commission's judgement, Watford FC is pleased to confirm that it has not received a points deduction or a fine. Former owner and director Mr Laurence Bassini has been banned from any participation in football for three years. The club has been made the subject of a transfer embargo, but wishes to emphasize that the embargo referred to falls under Regulation 19 of the Football League Regulations. This is not an absolute bar on transfers, but rather a mechanism by which transfer business can be conducted by the club provided that the prior authorization of the relevant football authorities has been obtained. It is clear from the decision of the Football Disciplinary Commission that the offences which the club has been found guilty of were committed by one or two individuals who are no longer associated with the club - and without the knowledge of the full Board of the club. Neither Watford Football Club - nor any of its individual officers - will be making any further comment on this matter. Thank goodness... sanity prevails.
It has taken a long time, but worth waiting for. I am surprised that Baz has only been given a three year ban, I would have thought lifetime would have protected others better. Still we don't know what evidence was provided at the hearing and what other issues between him and the club are on going, apart from the Red Lion.
It does reveal somewhat the complex and convoluted dealings in the business of football and the fact that in this case Baz has been clearly identified as the culprit. The club have got off with a virtual discharge.... we have to show the league our planned transfer dealings so they can see we are acting within the rules.... but that is all.
Do you think that could have more to do with our dealings within the Pozzo empire rather than any other deals we intend to make? Just a thought!
Great news, glad thats done and dusted. Now we can concentrate on one thing only, getting our promotion charge back on track!
I don't think the two things are related. The irregularities were over not informing the FL about receiving money from a third party in transfer deals. It seems that they want to know that this will not happene again.
Great news, but the transfer embargo bit is interesting, seeming we are under a new regime, so the previous situation will not happen again. It should mean that as long as any transfer is within the rules, it should go through no problem... but I wonder what it means for any permanent transfers between the Pozzo clubs - such as the FF transfer - where we sign them on a 'free'. Will they start questioning such a transfer, when he's still in contract with the selling club and is obviously not worth £0. Will they decide on his transfer value?
This is the point I was trying to make, but OFH didn't seem to think it was related - but as you say, now we are under a different regime, why would they want to impose these restrictions on us? If this was normal practice for all clubs it would take forever to conclude a deal. I think this may well have something to do with our 'project'.
I hope that wasn't their thinking... and just trying to look they are are imposing some kind of restriction on us. I was probably just being a little over-cynical, questioning whether they want a fall-back if their foreign-loan rule changing isn't pushed through in time for next season! I'm sure we will be fine, and certainly looks like a great outcome for the club, and well done to the panel for realising we were screwed over just as much as anybody else!
Transfer restriction is related to the fact that we had "factored" our planned share of the FL pool without letting the LF know. It's a standard procedure in these cases to ensure the club does not get further into financial difficulty. I would expect that this restriction would be lifted after the next transfer window and we can demonstrate our financial stability. Wonders never cease, common sense prevailing. So glad to see this over and done with and we cam move on...COYH
I don't think I'll ever really understand this case but just pleased that we have come out of this ok. Let's just get back to winning ways and go for that automatic promotion spot. COYH!!!
I have had a look at the regulation 19, it would not let me copy and paste it, and it is all about assigning monies that should go through the FL to a third party. It states that the FL will only pay a third party if they have received notification in writing and have agreed to it. This was the problem that Baz created, he didn't tell them what he was doing as he was diverting the money from the club into the holding company where he was the sole director. I don't think there can be a problem with transfers in the future, although I do believe that the whole affair has given the FL a better chance of watching what is going on between the Pozzo clubs.
such a great relief! This is very good news...and yep, i'm surprised Bas doesn't have a lifetime ban!
I hope not. Our past dealings with the FA/FL setting transfer fees have been very bad experiences, Paul Atkinson anyone?
A nice bit of news for Monday morning after a dismal weekend. How about all league clubs having to 'show their working' before transfers can go through? Might save a lot of bother in the end.
I think relief is the prevailing emotion - hopefully this news will provide the lift that the club needs at a time when we just seem to be faltering. I also hope that no self-respecting football club touches Baz with a bargepole when his 3 years comes to an end.
Judging by the headline the Beeb really don't like us. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21829894
That is great news after a lousy weekend of sports results. The 3 year ban on Baz ought to be enough to warn any future club what they are dealing with - any club foolish enough to think about having him and not speaking to Watford would get what they deserve.
Looks like they want ot make more out of it than it is for a "story". Of course the real story is the shameful behaviour of Baz.. Thank goodness the Pozzos came in eh.......
