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Western United given 14 days to pay overdue wages or run risk of losing players

Western United has again been given a 14-day deadline to pay overdue wages to players and staff.

Western United has again been served with breach notices by a host of the A-League club’s players over unpaid wages.

It’s the second time in two months that United has been issued breach notices by disgruntled players, who were also forced to endure late pay in May.

United had 14 days from Friday to make the payments. If the club fails to meet the deadline, players will be entitled to leave to the club, regardless of their contract status.

A club spokesman said United was in “constant communication with all players” and was working “closely with the PFA (Professional Footballers Australia) and the APL (Australian Professional Leagues) to ensure this is addressed in the coming days”.
Earlier in the week, United officials had been confident the club’s proposed new majority backers – KAM Melbourne – would have paid the players and staff their overdue wages by Friday.

However, the money wasn’t forthcoming, leading some players issuing breach notices via PFA.

KAM Melbourne, a subsidiary of KAM Sports, was last month announced as financially embattled United’s new controlling stakeholders.

However, the deal is yet to be approved by the APL, which runs the A-League.

PFA chief executive officer Beau Busch earlier this week said United’s players and staff were “victims of a governance model that is not fit for purpose, and where FA (Football Australia) and the APL appear unwilling to enforce their own regulations”.

“The professionalism of the Western United players and staff in the most trying conditions is a testament to their character and commitment to Australian football,” Busch said.

“The players (have been) left to fight for their most basic entitlement as employees. We will continue to ensure the players have access to the full resources of the PFA.”

Originally published as Western United given 14 days to pay overdue wages or run risk of losing players

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/football/western-united-given-14-days-to-pay-overdue-wages-or-run-risk-of-losing-players/news-story/e18fd5d0c1d98c70479280c1d1699683