Sign up to our free newsletter for the top North Wales stories sent straight to your e-mail Sign up now! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Watford insist their ongoing dispute with Everton over the “illegal” approach of Marco Silva is about “making a stand” and not compensation.

The Hornets reported Everton to the Premier League after they tried to get their Portuguese manager, who has since taken charge at Goodison Park, last season.

The two clubs have gone through a failed mediation and the Hornets are still pursuing the disciplinary process, despite selling Richarlison to the Toffees for more than £40million this week .

Their inability to come to a conclusion at mediation means Watford forfeit the right to compensation, but the club say that is not the reason behind continuing the dispute.

They said in a statement on their official website: “The club have made an official complaint to the Premier League over an allegation of an illegal approach to former manager, Marco Silva.

“The complaint to the Premier League makes clear the seriousness of the allegation and what the club believes is overwhelming evidence of a clear breach of Premier League rules.

(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

“At the request of the Premier League we entered into mediation with Everton in a process that involved club officials and their respective legal teams, with no conclusion being reached.

“Therefore the disciplinary process continues. In pursuing its disciplinary claim, the club has known from the outset it forfeited any right to compensation as a consequence of not following a proposed arbitration process.

“We believe this situation is not about a compensation figure but the principle of making a stand when the actions of one Premier League club completely undermine and cause intrinsic damage to a fellow member club.

“We trust in the Premier League to fully investigate the complaint and we will comply with that process. The club will be making no further comment.”

Everton wanted Silva to replace the sacked Ronald Koeman last November but were unable to get their man, who was keen to leave.

The Toffees’ failed coup was then followed by a poor run of form for the Hornets, who disposed of Silva in January, citing Everton’s approach as “the catalyst” for the decision.

Silva, who was replaced at Vicarage Road by Javi Gracia, ended up at Goodison Park anyway, when he was appointed after Sam Allardyce ’s exit.

The two clubs do not meet in the Premier League until December, with Silva’s first return to Vicarage Road set for February.