A BBC investigation found that seven Scottish football clubs were employing staff at below the living wage. The study found that across Scotland, only 10 of the 50 biggest employers said they pay all staff
working for them the living wage. The research also showed that most Scottish Premiership football
clubs were paying some of their off-pitch staff less than the living
wage. Football fans have been putting pressure on clubs to pay all staff the living wage. Premiership side Celtic, in particular, has been pressed on why it has not introduced it. BBC Scotland approached all the clubs in the Premiership asking them to complete a survey on wages. The clubs responded making it clear they would not take part. Seven of the clubs -- including Celtic -- were employing staff at below the living wage. The program was unable to establish what the pay rates at the remaining clubs were (BBC). In Glasgow, Mark McLaughlin reported the Scottish Professional Football League has complained that
its clubs "have been unfairly singled out by the BBC." Poverty Alliance Dir Peter Kelly said, "It's really unacceptable. ... These are clubs that are leaders very often in their communities. They need to be showing leadership in terms of pay as well. There's a lot more they could be doing." SPFL CEO Neil Doncaster said, "The SPFL -- speaking for its member clubs -- feels strongly that
Scottish football is, again, being very unfairly singled out for
scrutiny. Can I ask, why is football the target of focus here and not any other individual sector?" (DAILY RECORD, 5/18).
