Embattled A-Leagues club Western United has been served with breach notices by both its men’s and women’s players over unpaid wages and superannuation.
Inexplicably, Western’s A-League Men players had to attempt to overturn a 3-0 deficit in Saturday’s semi-final second leg against Melbourne City after not receiving their most recent pay. That match was after deadline.
The soccer players’ union, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), has lashed United’s “unacceptable” conduct and on Tuesday issued breach notices.
United must complete payments within two weeks, by Tuesday. June 3, or players can take further action, including termination of contract.
“The ongoing failure of Western United to meet its contractual obligations to players, including unpaid wages and superannuation, is unacceptable,” chief executive Beau Busch said in a statement.
“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.”
It is just the latest blow to the expansion club, which is currently subject to a men’s player registration ban from FIFA, understood to relate to a dispute with former striker Aleksandar Prijovic.
United cannot register new players until January 2027 unless that dispute is resolved.
The Tarneit-based club had fallen behind on payments in a previous pay cycle but were able to complete them.
It’s understood the PFA had been optimistic United’s pay situation would be resolved with the announcement earlier this month that incoming new investors will take a controlling stake in parent company Western Melbourne Group.
Instead, unpaid men’s and women’s players attended the club’s end-of-season awards night on Tuesday, the same day their union lodged the breach notices on their behalf.
“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,” United said in a statement.
“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.”
The sale to KAM Melbourne, a subsidiary of American group KAM Sports, is subject to regulatory checks from the APL and Football Australia.
The PFA is also conducting its own due diligence checks on KAM Melbourne.
The APL has been contacted for comment.
