Perth Glory players, staff reeling after multiple missed wage payments

Perth Glory players and staff have been paid late multiple times this year, including across the last two months, it can be revealed. But the club are adamant they are still in a strong financial position despite the latest missed payments coming as recently as this week. While the A-League Men’s side have returned to training track ahead of their first competitive hit-out of the new season in the Australia Cup against Queensland Lions next week, it comes amid the backdrop of late wage payments. The West Australian can reveal players first raised concerns after they were paid late in March, with non-playing staff also affected. This was followed by a further late payment in June, before players again raised the alarm this week. There was also a previous incident of late payment in July 2025, while The West Australian understands some superannuation remains unpaid. An official club spokesperson put the late payments down to timing issues, but guaranteed those affected were fully compensated and denied there were wider financial fears for Glory. “There have been some timing issues with payments in recent months, but all payments were made in full,” the spokesperson stated. “The club remains in a strong financial position.” The spokesperson said they did not envision this would affect preparations for the upcoming men’s and women’s seasons. When queried on outstanding superannuation payments, they reaffirmed any outstanding payments will be made in full. In a statement, Professional Footballers Australia (the players’ union) chief executive Beau Busch slammed the belated payments. “This unacceptable situation has now become a pattern at the club,” he said. “No worker should be waiting on pay day to find out whether they will be paid or not. “The players continue to uphold their end of the bargain and expect the APL (Australian Professional Leagues, the A-League’s governing body) to ensure the clubs hold up theirs.” Glory are heading into a pivotal year under owner Ross Pelligra, who took over the club in February 2024. Pelligra, who also owns Italian side Catania, was a less frequent visitor to Perth last season, but appointed Jason Bontempo as the club’s vice-chairman in April 2025 to assist with the running of the club. Chief executive Anthony Radich departed the club this week, having internally announced his decision to step down in April. His replacement is expected to be announced as soon as next week. On-field, the club have re-signed several important players in the off-season, including Welsh star Tom Lawrence, club great Adam Taggart, fan favourite Stefan Colakovski and promising talents Jaiden Kucharski, Will Freney and Charbel Shamoon. Perth have also signed former Western Sydney Wanderers star Calem Nieuwenhof on loan from Scottish side Hearts and also added Brisbane Roar attacker Henry Hore and former Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets defender Lachlan Jackson.