Watford are continuing to pursue a disciplinary claim against Everton over their approach for manager Marco Silva last season.

The Hornets complained to the Premier League in November that Everton’s attempts to lure Silva away, which included a £9m compensation offer, impacted his focus and results before he was sacked. Silva joined Everton on a three-year deal this summer.

While the Hornets acknowledge they now cannot receive any financial compensation from Everton, they are still pushing for their Premier League rivals to be punished.

Marco Silva was sacked by Watford following a dip in form after Everton's advances last season

A club statement released on Thursday morning read: '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.

'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.'

Earlier this week, Everton confirmed the £44m signing of Brazilian Richarlison from Watford.