Pozzo court case in Spain adds to unrest at Watford

[Getty Images] [BBC] These are difficult times for Watford. On the pitch, the Hornets have made a stuttering start to the season, leading to concerns over the future of head coach Alessio Dionisi. The win against Lincoln and the draw with Middlesbrough before the international break has done enough, it seems, to keep the popular coach in his job for the time being, which will please the majority of supporters. Off the pitch hasn't been any easier either. Sir Elton John's criticism after the debacle against Burnley in October led to a fan and ex-player pile-on with owner Gino Pozzo bearing the brunt of it. It led to some fans questioning the running of the football club and one supporters' group declaring a loss of confidence in the ownership. It can be heard on the terraces. The turbulence remains. But of more serious concern than any of this is the current court case in Madrid where Pozzo is one of a number of defendants accused of tax offences relating to Spanish team Granada, a club he used to be associated with. Pozzo and the others deny the allegations, which are related to player trading at Granada. In a rare interview Pozzo did with a member of one of the supporters' groups recently, he brushed off any worries or anxieties about the case, stating it was related to Granada rather than himself and that all operations were fully compliant with the law. Nevertheless, the alleged tax fraud is sizeable and if found guilty the outcome could be a lengthy prison sentence. The ramifications of that for Watford would be severe and damaging. If the Spanish courts convict him, he would fail the Owners and Directors' Test over here which would almost certainly disqualify him from acting as a director or officer of the club. Watford won't comment while the case is ongoing and we await the verdict. But during an extremely uncomfortable period on and off the pitch, this latest development adds to already unsettling times at Vicarage Road. Don't forget to tap the 'follow' button at the top of this page to stay up to date with the latest Watford news.