Posted on 20th March 2026
Clubs “must act” to protect matchday workers’ pay
Football clubs are included in the hundreds of UK businesses found to be illegally underpaying staff by the Department of Business and Trade (DBT).
DBT announced this week that it had fined 389 businesses a total of £12.6m – in addition to recouping unpaid wages – for failing to pay £7.3m in minimum wage to hospitality workers.
Bedworth United, Charlton Athletic and Norwich City were the three football clubs included in the Government’s enforcement action.
Employment rights minister Kate Dearden said: “Nobody should finish a week’s work and find they’ve been paid less than they’ve earned. I believe in a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.
“That’s why we’re cracking down on employers who underpay. We’re making sure workers get the hard earned pay they deserve.”
The Department found that Bedworth United failed to pay £6,365.29 to seven workers, while Charlton Athletic failed to pay £17,983.18 to 45 workers and Norwich City failed to pay £99,021.76 to 1,152 workers.
Bryan Simpson, lead organiser from Unite Hospitality said: “It’s deeply concerning to see workers in football clubs as well as the wider service industry being underpaid, with giants like Costa alone owing nearly £150,000 to over 2,700 workers.
“This reflects a wider problem in hospitality and service sectors, where too many staff are still being short-changed. Employers must act quickly to repay what’s owed and ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
This “naming round” on workers’ pay, a commitment from the chancellor at the last budget, is the last before the Fair Work Agency launches next month. It is a brand-new enforcement body formed through the recently passed Employment Rights Act to bring workers’ rights enforcement under one roof for the first time.
What does the FSA think?
The FSA is a living wage employer and believes in fair pay for all.
At last summer’s AGM, FSA members passed a motion on the pay and conditions of football workers.
That motion commits the FSA to promoting awareness among supporters of the role of football workers and the importance of decent conditions for all. It also commits the FSA to support our affiliated fan groups and campaigns that aim to strengthen ties between fans, football workers, and trade unions.
That motion was brought to conference by Manchester City’s Trade Union Blues – seconded by Sheffield Wednesday Women’s Supporters Group, Fulham Lillies, Hammers United, and MCFC Fans Foodbank Support.
Secretary of Trade Union Blues Chris Neville told us clubs must do more to ensure they are fully compliant with minimum wage legislation.
Chris said: “Like many areas of work, there is a huge disparity in pay for those working in football, with many of those who contribute to making our matchday experience enjoyable and safe often found at the bottom of the scale.
“Alongside low pay, these workers are often employed on insecure, outsourced contracts and suffer from a lack of trade union representation.
“We call on all clubs to review their pay practices, ensure full compliance with the law and engage positively with trade unions to guarantee dignity and fairness for all football workers.”
