Latest news with #Ratcliffe
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Former Premier League giants ‘fail to pay wages on time for second time in three months' as fans blast ‘worst run club'
Scroll down to see the letter sent to club staff Chaos club Former Premier League giants 'fail to pay wages on time for second time in three months' as fans blast 'worst run club' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Premier League side Sheffield Wednesday have failed to pay players and staff for the second time in three months, according to reports. The Owls have recently experienced chaos in the club hierarchy under owner Dejphon Chansiri, whose family control canned tuna producer Thai Union Group. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Sheffield Wednesday have reportedly failed to pay staff and players Credit: Getty And the Championship outfit are now at risk of a three transfer window embargo. The latest round of payments had been due to go out on Friday. However, players, coaching staff and also general club staff have been hit by a lack of wages being paid out. According to the Sheffield Star, this has affected staff by varying degrees, with some receiving full payments, others only receiving part of their payment and some getting nothing at all. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL CLIFFE EDGE Ratcliffe and Amorim 'on collision course for huge fall-out if Fernandes sold' A letter sent to players and staff allegedly told them they would not be receiving payment until at least Monday. If everyone at the club is not paid in full by the end of next week then a sanction from the EFL will be forthcoming as they sit on the brink of a 30-day default. That would see them banned from signing players. The letter sent to club staff says: "We anticipate outstanding payments will be made in full during the course of this Monday and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused. "We understand that such delays create financial pressure and want to reassure our staff that the club is here to support you and ensure that no one suffers any financial hardship… "If you are facing any immediate financial difficulties as a result of this delay, please don't hesitate to contact your Line Manager or Department Head, who will aid the access of emergency funding we have in place." Former Championship club win promotion to National League as fans go wild after nightmare decade When the same issue occurred in March, payment was eventually made on April 7. The club is in the situation it is in due to debts owed to the owner, who has been at the club for a decade. Reacting to the news on social media, fans blasted the club as the "worst run club in football league". The team's Supporters Trust was also fuming in a statement, which read: "We are once again appalled to hear reports that employees of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, have reportedly not been paid again. "If these reports are accurate, this is simply unacceptable. We demand that the club immediately provides a clear and transparent explanation of the situation. "Silence and ambiguity are no longer tolerable. "We reiterate our firm belief that Dejphon Chansiri must sell the club without further delay. "His continued ownership is proving catastrophic for Sheffield Wednesday and everyone connected with it." Protests against Chansiri have gathered pace in the last year as he seeks to sell the club. A second bid to buy the club was reportedly made by an American consortium recently. Wednesday finished 12th in the second tier this season under manager Danny Rohl. Despite being a founding member of the Premier League in 1992, they last appeared in the top flight in 2000.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘It sends a signal': Jim Ratcliffe rebuked for Manchester United Women remarks
Kelly Simmons, the former director of the women's professional game in England, has attacked Sir Jim Ratcliffe over his remarks about Manchester United's women's team, arguing they are 'sending a signal … about what he thinks about women, not just the women's game'. Simmons, one of the most respected voices in women's football, made the criticisms as she outlined what she saw as a general reluctance within established clubs to invest in the women's game. Ratcliffe has previously said he saw United's men's team as 'the main issue' and 'what moves the needle' at the club. He was not at Wembley when Manchester United lost to Chelsea in the Women's FA Cup final two weeks ago, nor when they won last year's final against Tottenham. Related: Williamson 'devastated' by Earps' England exit but Wiegman quiet on talks 'If I was a woman working in United and heard the language Ratcliffe uses, he's sending a signal to me about what he thinks about women not just the women's game,' she said. 'I'm not sure people recognise how powerful that language is in a negative way. It's so disappointing.' Simmons was speaking at the Fair Game conference in London, where financial sustainability and issues around equality and inclusion within football were discussed. Simmons oversaw the professionalisation of the Women's Super League a decade ago and argued the further growth of women's football was being stymied by a lack of investment at club level. 'We are not there as a sustainable sport,' Simmons said, likening the current situation to that during the half-century when the Football Association banned women from playing the game in England between 1921 and 1970. 'This is a second ban where clubs are treating the women's teams as a community endeavour, not treating it as a startup, not investing in it. ' Absolutely nothing is locked in for women's football. We're not in the conversation for funding flows. If you are going to scrutinise clubs to see that finances are robust, then you need to look at the women's game because you know where the money is going to be cut from first; it's the women's team.' Simmons said there was growing interest from private equity groups in investing in the women's game and that she welcomed the prospect. 'A number of clubs in this country and on the continent and Europe are in discussions with private equity,' she said. 'It will bring in a mindset of treating women's football like a business and that is much needed.' While Ratcliffe was not present for the FA Cup final, where United lost 3-0 to Chelsea, the club did send a senior delegation that included co-chair Avram Glazer, as well as representatives from Ineos, Ratcliffe's conglomerate. The United chief executive, Omar Berrada, meanwhile, has made public remarks saying the club are 'very proud' of the women's team and arguing: 'It's really incumbent on us to be there to help them.' Ratcliffe has also spoken of his desire to see the women's team succeed. 'The women's team wear the Manchester United brand and the Manchester United logo, so in that sense they're every bit as important as the men's team and frankly they're doing better than the men's team,' he said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jim Ratcliffe ‘sends signal to all women' with lack of support for United's team
Kelly Simmons, the former director of the women's professional game in England, has attacked Sir Jim Ratcliffe over his remarks about Manchester United women, arguing they are 'sending a signal … about what he thinks about women, not just the women's game'. Simmons, one of the most respected voices in women's football, made the criticisms as she outlined what she saw as a general reluctance within established clubs to invest in the women's game. Ratcliffe has previously said he saw United's men's team as 'the main issue' and 'what moves the needle' at the club. He was not at Wembley when Manchester United lost to Chelsea in the Women's FA Cup final two weeks ago, nor when they won last year's final against Tottenham. Advertisement Related: Williamson 'devastated' by Earps' England exit but Wiegman quiet on talks 'If I was a woman working in United and heard the language Ratcliffe uses, he's sending a signal to me about what he thinks about women not just the women's game,' she said. 'I'm not sure people recognise how powerful that language is in a negative way. It's so disappointing.' Simmons was speaking at the Fair Game conference in London, where financial sustainability and issues around equality and inclusion within football were discussed. Simmons oversaw the professionalisation of the Women's Super League a decade ago and argued the further growth of women's football was being stymied by a lack of investment at club level. 'We are not there as a sustainable sport,' Simmons said, likening the current situation to that during the half-century when the Football Association banned women from playing the game in England, between 1921 and 1970. 'This is a second ban where clubs are treating the women's teams as a community endeavour, not treating it as a startup, not investing in it. Advertisement 'Absolutely nothing is locked in for women's football. We're not in the conversation for funding flows. If you are going to scrutinise clubs to see that finances are robust, then you need to look at the women's game because you know where the money is going to be cut from first; it's the women's team.' Simmons said there was growing interest from private equity groups in investing in the women's game and that she welcomed the prospect. 'A number of clubs in this country and on the continent and Europe are in discussions with private equity,' she said. 'It will bring in a mindset of treating women's football like a business and that is much needed.' While Ratcliffe was not present for the FA Cup final, where United lost 3-0 to Chelsea, the club did send a senior delegation that included vice-chair Avram Glazer, as well as representatives from Ineos, Ratcliffe's conglomerate. The United chief executive, Omar Berrada, meanwhile, has made public remarks saying the club are 'very proud' of the women's team and arguing: 'It's really incumbent on us to be there to help them.' Ratcliffe has also spoken of his desire to see the women's team succeed. 'The women's team wear the Manchester United brand and the Manchester United logo, so in that sense they're every bit as important as the men's team and frankly they're doing better than the men's team,' he said.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd's former £175k-a-year body language expert hits back at Jim Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe mentioned Manchester United's six-figure outlay on a body language consultant during a recent interview, and now the individual in question has spoken out Kirsten Heukels, the body language consultant hired by Manchester United on a £175,000-per-year salary, has defended her role at the club amid criticism from part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Heukels joined the club during Erik ten Hag's time as manager, but was pointed to by Ratcliffe in a discussion of how the club was haemhorraging money when he arrived. One of Heukels' roles was to help United's players with penalty shoot-outs. Her background was outside football, but during her time the club secured vital shoot-out victories over Brighton and Coventry in successive FA Cup campaigns. She spoke with United's keepers during her time at Old Trafford, and also met outfield players. However, speaking to The Athletic, she claims there was no direct contact with anyone at owners INEOS. 'I don't look at life this way,' Heukels said when asked about Ratcliffe's comments. 'I believe it was a courageous thing that the team did back then. And I'm proud of what we achieved. "The achievements are in the data, so they are proven. I don't need to explain that to anybody," she continued. "I don't know enough about him or United today because I'm not involved, but it's always dangerous to talk about your predecessors this way.' It was back in March that Ratcliffe referenced Heukels' role and salary - albeit not her name - in an interview with The Times. In the same piece, the billionaire opened up on the financial situation affecting the club since his arrival. 'If you think of it in really simple terms, you've got the operating costs, which are all the staff and the fixed costs of running the business," he said. "And then you've got all the squad costs, player salaries and player purchases. 'In super simple terms, the club has been spending more money than it's been earning now for the last seven years, and it ends in a very difficult place. And for Manchester United, that place ended at the end of this year, the end of 2025, with the club running out of cash. I think it's the first time we've probably said that in public, but that's the fact of the matter.' Heukels, who also credits former United coach Steve McClaren among others for helping her during her time at Old Trafford, predominantly scouted opposition penalty takers. The 2023 Brighton shoot-out win was described as a breakthrough, while she was also in her role when David de Gea made his first Old Trafford penalty save in nine years during a match against Fulham shortly after. 'I look at how they are walking up to the spot,' Heukels explains. 'How their face is holding itself, because you can think you're looking cool but your face will tell me more and you will leak it all. I will look at body language and their interaction with the goalkeeper — whether they are looking at him or not.'
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Incredible reason Man Utd gave mega-money deal to 'body language consultant'
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was behind the decision to hire a body language consultant, who worked with players to improve their effectiveness at penalties Manchester United signed off on the hiring a body language consultant paid £175k-a-year... simply to keep Erik ten Hag happy. Dutch coach Ten Hag was sacked as United manager in October, bringing to an end his two and a half years in charge as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team opted to hire Ruben Amorim as his replacement. Ten Hag arrived at United on the back of three Eredivisie titles with Ajax and won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup while at Old Trafford. He won 70 of his 128 matches in charge altogether but was sacked after a defeat by West Ham left United 14th in the Premier League. Ratcliffe had toyed with dismissing Ten Hag last summer, but the FA Cup final win over Manchester City bought him more time. He was even handed a new contract – a decision which ended up costing the club around £14million in compensation to Ten Hag and his coaching staff. United have been on a cost-cutting mission since Ratcliffe took over control of sporting operations in February 2024, with the petrochemicals billionaire slashing hundreds of jobs, including the ambassadorial role for legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Ratcliffe has made it clear that he believes he inherited an inefficient club which has been wasting money across the board. Ratcliffe was dismayed to see that the club were forking out £175,000 per year to pay a body language consultant, who, according to The Athletic, was working with the players on penalties. Ten Hag was behind the decision because he wanted his players to better recognise facial expressions and other signs that can help in high-pressure shoot-outs. The report states that United's executives had green lighted the expenditure largely just to appease Ten Hag. But that outlook was changed by Ratcliffe, who saw it as an unnecessary expense. United did win two penalty shoot-outs during the time period in which they were working with the expert. They saw off Brighton and Coventry in the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 2023 and 2024 respectively, with Ten Hag praising his side's coolness after they saw off the Sky Blues on their way to winning the trophy last year. "It was about mentality in that moment,' he said at Wembley. 'You have a plan and have full confidence so I told them to stick to the plan. I had confidence we would win the shootout. Normally Casemiro scores, we train them very well. "I am always calm, I focus and know my players can shoot penalties. I'm always confident Andre [Onana] will catch minimum one. I was quite convinced but when the first is a mis-hit then you never know." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
