Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been heavily criticized after he secretly scrapped Man Utd’s charity payments as part of cost-cutting measures
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been accused of secretly canceling Manchester United’s long-standing payments to a charity that supports the club’s former players.
Ratcliffe oversaw a series of controversial cost-cutting measures. The large number of layoffs was accompanied by an increase in ticket prices and a reduction in the annual staff Christmas gift.
Sir Alex Ferguson was also stripped of his ambassadorial roleuntil the staff were given free transport to last season’s FA Cup final and their Christmas party was cancelled.
Now, a trustee of the Alumni Association Manchester United The players (AFMUP) accused the club of suspending its payments – believed to be £40,000 a year – to the charity, which started back in 1985, without even informing the charity.
“We sent a letter to say we haven’t been paid,” Commissioner Jim Elms said Sun. “No one came out and told us so we had to send another letter. That’s when we started hearing things that this was going to be the end of us.
“Omar [Berrada, CEO] was optional. He will meet with us again in January, but he said he doesn’t see that changing. He didn’t seem to think we were necessary.
“We’ve been running it since 1985. Keeping the old players together. Taking care of the ones who couldn’t pay for the funerals. I just can’t understand them. It’s ridiculous.
“We give around £10-20,000 to charity, mainly to children’s charities in the local area. This year we had £20,000 but not the rest.”
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