Western United in turmoil, with players allegedly owed wages and superannuation

A-League club Western United has been given two weeks to pay wages and superannuation to its players, or face significant consequences.

Western United is facing a player revolt, with the club having been slapped with breach notices from most of the its men’s and women’s players for unpaid wages and superannuation.

Professional Footballers Australia served United with the breach notices on Tuesday, giving the club two weeks to pay the players the money that they are allegedly owed.

If the money isn’t paid on time, players will be entitled to leave to the club, regardless of their contract status.

It’s understood United – whose men’s team meet Melbourne City in a semi-final second-leg clash on Saturday night at AAMI Park – may also face sanctions should the money not be paid.

The failure to pay wages and superannuation has occurred despite United announcing earlier this month that KAM Melbourne, a subsidiary of American organisation KAM Sports, had bought a controlling stake in the financially embattled club and its parent company, Western Melbourne Group.

It’s understood that KAM Melbourne committed to paying about $100 million for the majority ownership stake.

“We’ve done it. We can do it” 🗣️

The boss is ready for Saturday night 😤 pic.twitter.com/FUBwOclHDh

— Western United FC (@wufcofficial) May 21, 2025

However, the sale remains subject to the “successful completion” of the “necessary approval processes” by Wyndham City and the APL, which runs the A-League, and “regulatory processes” by Football Australia.

The PFA is also conducting its own due diligence process on KAM Melbourne to ensure that the best interests of the players, and the integrity of the A-League men’s and women’s competitions, are upheld.

PFA chief executive officer Beau Busch slammed United’s conduct.

“The ongoing failure of Western United to meet its contractual obligations to players, including unpaid wages and superannuation, is unacceptable,” Busch said.

“The professionalism and commitment of the players and staff in extremely difficult circumstances has been remarkable.

“We are actively engaging with both the club and the APL to ensure the matter is resolved swiftly, and the players will continue to be supported with the full resources of the PFA.”

In a club statement released on Wednesday night, United said: “The club has been in constant communication with the players and is working closely with the PFA and the APL to address these matters urgently.

“Everyone at the club is fully focused on our semi-final second leg against Melbourne City on Saturday, and we look forward to seeing our supporters and Australian football fans in attendance for a fantastic occasion.”

Originally published as Western United in turmoil, with players allegedly owed wages and superannuation