Hamilton’s preparations for the upcoming season have been upended as first-team players protested over delayed wages.
The Championship team is set to open SPFL action against Ayr United this Saturday.
Scheduled to receive their wages via bank transfer on Wednesday, manager John Rankin along with players Barry Maguire and Kyle MacDonald were among those who did not receive payment.
Players expressed their frustrations by leaving the stadium yesterday morning, raising questions regarding the game on Saturday.
The club has reached out to players and staff, attributing the delay to a global issue with internet banking rather than a financial crisis.
Engaged with their bank to rectify the situation, Hamilton has also proposed compensating those affected with cash from ticket sales, assuring that the match against Ayr will proceed as planned.
The Lanarkshire club have been hit by an unwanted disruption ahead of the big kick-off
Hamilton booked their place in the Championship after a play-off win over Inverness
Manager John Rankin is among those affected by the banking error that has hit Hamilton
Football director Gerry Strain stated to Mail Sport: ‘An external issue has impacted the entire club. None of the current board members are signatories of the outdated bank accounts established by the previous owners, which is at the core of the problem.
‘Some players and staff were paid on time, while others were not. This is being addressed.
‘Players impacted have been offered payments and cash from the club’s ticket sales, and I am awaiting confirmation on who intends to accept this offer.
‘At least one player has already expressed interest in being paid tomorrow. Regardless, there are no liquidity problems, and from our perspective, the game against Ayr United will proceed as scheduled.
Hamilton take on Ross County in the Premier Sports Cup, where they finished third in Group H
‘Once the bank resolves the issue, those who are unpaid will have the option to take this money as an advance on next month’s wages or consider repaying the club.
‘In any case, we do not have cash flow issues. The problems at hand are administrative and related to the bank.’
While businessman Seref Zengin took over control of the football club last summer, the original stadium owners still retain ownership of New Douglas Park, with Hamilton obligated to pay £2 million annually for the right to play there.
