Ex-Watford chairman banned indefinitely from English football

An EFL disciplinary commission said the funding letter submitted during the club's change of ownership to Gino Pozzo was "not authentic". The EFL confirmed Riva would not be able to seek a review of the suspension until at least Nov. 2, 2026.

Riva has also been fined 50,000 pounds and must pay a further 65,000 pounds towards the costs of the EFL and the disciplinary commission hearing.

Watford were fined 4.3 million pounds by the EFL last August over the forged letter.

(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)