Football League finish hearing evidence in Watford/Bassini charge (From Watford Observer)
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Football League finish hearing evidence in Watford FC and Laurence Bassini misconduct charge
11:12am Thursday 31st January 2013 in Sport
By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor
Picture: Pippa Douglas
The Football League have finished receiving evidence in relation to Watford FC and Laurence Bassini's misconduct charge, the Watford Observer understands.
The private hearing began on Monday and whilst we understand Bassini and the club have finished putting their side of events to the panel, a decision is unlikely to be made, or revealed, before next week at the earliest.
The Football League have refused to comment on the matter since the Watford Observer first revealed the charge in November and were unavailable for comment this morning.
Watford and Bassini were charged following alleged breaches of the Football League's regulations relating to two separate transactions between the Hornets and LNOC, a finance company.
One of the allegations relates to two installments following Danny Graham's sale to Swansea City and the other transaction is for two promissory notes worth £1.8m.
In November, solicitors acting for Bassini said the charge would be "defended vigorously" and Watford chief executive Scott Duxbury said he was "extremely confident of a successful outcome".
Click here to read about the Football League charge in more detail.
Comments(33)
Only 2 Ross Jenkins
says...
11:22am Thu 31 Jan 13
jasonwatford
says...
11:31am Thu 31 Jan 13
akureyri
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11:32am Thu 31 Jan 13
Graveyard
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11:33am Thu 31 Jan 13
We're far from their favourite club as it is.
nottshorn
says...
11:36am Thu 31 Jan 13
Only 2 Ross Jenkins wrote:Personally it seems like we never get much press coverage. I listened to BBC 5 Live on Tuesday night and they didn't even mention that we were playing that night until Bristol City scored! No mention at all that we could have gone 2nd!
Question: Why has this charge had so little coverage in the UK wide press and media? I doubt most people outside of WFC fans will even know this is happening. In comparison, I seem to remember the QPR saga 2 years ago being well covered by National TV/Press etc.
londomollari
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11:41am Thu 31 Jan 13
akureyri wrote:To be fair to him, A few days ago Samuels published an article defending Watford in this affair, making a case for Watford not being deducted points, and blaming the previous owner.
I am surprised the Daily Mail and Mr Samuel are not reporting this joyously, as an example of how bad foreign owned football or anything is.
mattymashup
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11:45am Thu 31 Jan 13
Also I'm sick of bas!
Harry's Bar
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11:54am Thu 31 Jan 13
mattymashup wrote:Do we need this today, it's not really a story. We need some deadline news, and soon.
The press don't like us, we don't care! This transfer window is killing me! Sick of hitting refresh! Also I'm sick of bas!
Sahorn
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12:05pm Thu 31 Jan 13
jasonwatford wrote:The press dont usually allow lack of facts to get in the way of a good story.
Because this has been a private meeting. Speculation is the only thing so press not interested unless they have some kinds of facts to go on.
Am optimistic nothing more than a fine is coming.
Points deduction in WFC's situation wouldn't stand scrutiny against similar (worse?) cases like QPR who had sanction of a fine only and were then duly promoted.
The Happy Hornet
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12:17pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Bringe
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12:31pm Thu 31 Jan 13
The Happy Hornet wrote:er no... we alredy have FF in the bag, not that signing any of them is essential right now.
Only a thought is there a possibility that we may be under a transfer embargo until the FLT announce their decision, and that is why there seems to be no news on transfers.
And anyway I'd wait till midnight before any tears set in.
D.unstable
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12:33pm Thu 31 Jan 13
McHornet
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12:46pm Thu 31 Jan 13
D.unstable wrote:He probably said we would attend, then fell over in the car park and hurt himself and had to gibe it a miss...
I wonder if Bas had to attend, anybody know?
Roger "Studs" Joslyn
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12:48pm Thu 31 Jan 13
"Watford fans were hoping that one or two of the many loan signings - the majority from their owners' other clubs Udinese and Granada - might sign permanently. But I understand that's unlikely to be the case.
"Striker Fernando Forestieri was the first of the Pozzo family loan players to agree a permanent deal. But that could be it. I think Watford won't be too upset with that as financially it makes sense to have them as loan players and only pay a percentage of their wage with the Pozzo family effectively still owning the players in any case."
Eastsussexhornet
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12:48pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Only 2 Ross Jenkins wrote:I would say that that is a good sign...
Question: Why has this charge had so little coverage in the UK wide press and media? I doubt most people outside of WFC fans will even know this is happening. In comparison, I seem to remember the QPR saga 2 years ago being well covered by National TV/Press etc.
And, according to someone responding to one of my posts yesterday regarding Vydra, I am a pessimist!
Somerset'Orn
says...
12:50pm Thu 31 Jan 13
D.unstable wrote:Probably spending time with his daughter plotting another disastrous reign at an unsuspecting football club. On second thoughts maybe he should purchase Scum Town. Could give us all a **** good laugh.
I wonder if Bas had to attend, anybody know?
Only 2 Ross Jenkins
says...
1:06pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Eastsussexhornet wrote:Yes, I see it as a good sign too. After all, if it were likely we were to be deducted points, I would imagine the coverage would be a lot greater than it currently is. I am not sure that I buy the reason they are not reporting it is because it's merely speculation.
Only 2 Ross Jenkins wrote: Question: Why has this charge had so little coverage in the UK wide press and media? I doubt most people outside of WFC fans will even know this is happening. In comparison, I seem to remember the QPR saga 2 years ago being well covered by National TV/Press etc.I would say that that is a good sign... And, according to someone responding to one of my posts yesterday regarding Vydra, I am a pessimist!
Harrydownunder
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1:28pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Somerset'Orn wrote:He cant make em any worse
D.unstable wrote:Probably spending time with his daughter plotting another disastrous reign at an unsuspecting football club. On second thoughts maybe he should purchase Scum Town. Could give us all a **** good laugh.
I wonder if Bas had to attend, anybody know?
mk6 hornet
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1:40pm Thu 31 Jan 13
The Happy Hornet
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1:53pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Also will Baz get any sell-on fee from Danny Grahams proposed move to Sunderland?
BobT44
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2:03pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Also, off topic I know, but will Watford receive any money if Danny Graham goes to Sunderland?...or anywhere else for that matter. I can't remember the terms when he signed for Swansea.
Somerset'Orn
says...
2:13pm Thu 31 Jan 13
BobT44 wrote:15% of any profit from the transfer apparently. I stress the apparently. According to Wobby twitter feed.
So Redmond from Birmingham sounds unlikely then.
Also, off topic I know, but will Watford receive any money if Danny Graham goes to Sunderland?...or anywhere else for that matter. I can't remember the terms when he signed for Swansea.
Rookery Veteren
says...
2:34pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Not sure its a great move for him...missing chance of medal. It's an even bigger mistake by Laudrup IMO. He better pray Michu doesn't get injured or lose form. Good luck to DG anyway. Good player and loads of heart..hope he wins those stupid Sunderland fans round.
mooneysmagic
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2:44pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Rookery Veteren wrote:Probably any sell on fee will go to Bazza.
Its being suggested on bbc website that Watford will get £200,000 plus from Graham sale.
Not sure its a great move for him...missing chance of medal. It's an even bigger mistake by Laudrup IMO. He better pray Michu doesn't get injured or lose form. Good luck to DG anyway. Good player and loads of heart..hope he wins those stupid Sunderland fans round.
lockerbiehornet
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2:53pm Thu 31 Jan 13
mooneysmagic wrote:Seeing as all payments go through the FL banks accounts, I hardly envisage a transfer to one L.Bassini happening
Rookery Veteren wrote:Probably any sell on fee will go to Bazza.
Its being suggested on bbc website that Watford will get £200,000 plus from Graham sale.
Not sure its a great move for him...missing chance of medal. It's an even bigger mistake by Laudrup IMO. He better pray Michu doesn't get injured or lose form. Good luck to DG anyway. Good player and loads of heart..hope he wins those stupid Sunderland fans round.
SAHornet
says...
3:50pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Bringe wrote:Bringe, I do wish you wouldn't constantly start the postings where you are about to disagree with someone..."er, no" . It makes you sound like a right condescending, know-it-all twonk.
The Happy Hornet wrote:er no... we alredy have FF in the bag, not that signing any of them is essential right now.
Only a thought is there a possibility that we may be under a transfer embargo until the FLT announce their decision, and that is why there seems to be no news on transfers.
And anyway I'd wait till midnight before any tears set in.
Bringe
says...
4:30pm Thu 31 Jan 13
SAHornet wrote:Good that it annoys you ... I shall do it more.
Bringe wrote:Bringe, I do wish you wouldn't constantly start the postings where you are about to disagree with someone..."er, no" . It makes you sound like a right condescending, know-it-all twonk.
The Happy Hornet wrote:er no... we alredy have FF in the bag, not that signing any of them is essential right now.
Only a thought is there a possibility that we may be under a transfer embargo until the FLT announce their decision, and that is why there seems to be no news on transfers.
And anyway I'd wait till midnight before any tears set in.
Hornet73
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4:36pm Thu 31 Jan 13
The BestTrip2011
says...
6:44pm Thu 31 Jan 13
PLEASE find another picture of this buffoon.
I am sick of seeing him tip his red hard hat.
If you can't find another picture use one of a chimpanzee, cockroach or something else befitting.
Thank you.
stevyweavy
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6:58pm Thu 31 Jan 13
QUINNPT
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7:17pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Part of the reason for the delay and i can only speculate is a) the club are waiting for the decision on the above, b) the player is waiting to see what division we will end up at the end of the season.
As the chant goes we can sign who we want, sign who we want etc.
In addition no one including me has any idea what the result of the investigation will be, however I expect it will be a combination of the following:
1. Fine equating to £225K (DG profit)
2. Banned from using third party finance houses for transfers and hedging future fl money for 12 months
3. Suspended points deduction for 12 months. Probably 5 points.
4. Warning from the FL that if it happens again further and more severe punishment.
That is my penny's worth.
Also it doesn't matter how cooperative the club has been the FL will still throw the book at the club, other FL clubs will demand nothing less.
ChunkeyMonkey
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12:01am Fri 1 Feb 13
stevyweavy wrote:Really? Sorry but that is the "conspiracy theory" to end all conspiracy theories!,
I think it is good that this has, up until now, been kept very low key. The more high profile it is, the more likely the Football League will feel obligated to make an example of us. Call it conspiracy theory but was it just coincidence that Zola changed six players and thereby enabled us to lose to the bottom club in the Championship when a win would have taken us up into the spotlight of an automatic promotion place the day after the enquiry began - well who knows?
londomollari says...
11:20am Thu 31 Jan 13
That picture with the b*****y red hat again. Can't we have a picture of something more attractive? Such as the interior of a public toilet in Somalia?