THE UK Government has stuck the boot into Morton after the club underpayed staff by more than £2,000.

The Greenock club has been included in a ‘name and shame’ list of Scottish businesses who have short-changed workers.

Morton is one of three football clubs — along with Motherwell and Falkirk — where staff have not been paid what they are due.

According to a report by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Cappielow side underpaid six employees a total of £2,382.

The Tele understands the cash was owed to youth players.
Lord Duncan, UK Government minister for Scotland, said: “We simply will not stand by while companies diddle workers out of their pay.

“Particularly at this time of year, every pound in workers’ pockets counts.

“The UK Government’s National Living Wage was established to ensure that everyone, everywhere, receives a decent income.

“It is unacceptable that some companies in Scotland still think they can get away with underpaying their staff.

“The UK Government will not stand for it, and will continue to ‘name and shame’ until all workers are properly paid.”

Ton chiefs have played down the error saying the majority of the sum was owed to one member of staff from three seasons ago with ‘very minimal’ amounts due to the rest of the affected employees.

A club statement said: “As a conscientious employer we feel it is vitally important to be transparent and respond to the recent BEIS national minimum wage press release with the details in order to fully clarify the situation.

“In terms of the timeframe, this is a historical case dating from three seasons ago in which a solitary player was due the majority of the figure mentioned as a result of being erroneously contracted.

“Five other players were also underpaid by very minimal amounts due to the club missing key trigger dates for slight increases due in the terms of their contracts.

“However, once we were made aware of the situation, all players were promptly and fully reimbursed earlier this year.”

A government spokesperson said: “Greenock Morton were ordered to pay back the arrears owed to the six workers affected. 

“They were also fined but we do not reveal details of individual fines.

“However, employers can be fined up to 200 per cent of the arrears, to a maximum of £20,000 per worker.”