Source: REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
[Saba Sports News] According to Sabasports, Manchester United owner James Ratcliffe has cut funding for a charity that helps former Manchester United players, which previously received £40,000 annually from the club. Manchester United fans expressed that this is another move by the billionaire Ratcliffe, worth £23 billion, following ticket price hikes and the cancellation of the Christmas party. Each year, Manchester United provides funds to the Association of Former Manchester United Players, which was established in 1985 to assist low-income former players. The club hosts four events annually. However, when the charity contacted Old Trafford after two quarterly payments of £10,000 were missed, they were shocked to learn that all funding would be terminated as part of Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting plan. Since Ratcliffe’s acquisition of Manchester United, he has been ruthlessly cutting costs. More than 250 staff members have been laid off, and Sir Alex Ferguson’s £2 million ambassador role has been canceled. Traditional Christmas parties for staff have also been canceled, and bonuses have been reduced. This May, staff members no longer received free tickets for the FA Cup and had to pay for their own transportation to Wembley Stadium. Additionally, discounts on tickets for young people and seniors over 65 have also been eliminated.