LEICESTER CITY issued a grovelling apology after ditching a ‘valued’ Christmas tradition at just days’ notice, according to reports.
The Championship club tend to pay their players and staff at the end of the month.
However, in recent years, they have brought forward the date in December to before Christmas.
That sees all employees receive their salaries either on the final Friday before December 25 or the final working day ahead of the big day.
The kind gesture allowed them to have the money in their bank accounts.
But the Daily Mail report that the King Power club sent an email to staff on Thursday 18 to confirm December’s pay date would be New Year’s Eve.
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The article adds that there is ‘significant unhappiness’ among staff, especially at how little notice was given.
It is claimed the email may have been sent from Leicester interim managing director Kamonthip Netthanomsak.
The Mail states the email reads: “I recognise that the earlier payment has become a valued tradition for many colleagues, and it is regrettable that I have been unable to relay this with greater notice to allow more time for your personal financial planning over the festive period.
“Please accept my personal apologies for any inconvenience this may cause you.”
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The Foxes told the Mail the decision to move away from the helpful festive policy was not due to the club’s financial situation.
Leicester face the possibility of a points deduction in the EFL if found guilty of breaching profit and sustainability rules.
The East Midlands side managed to avoid punishment in recent years by exploiting a loophole – after switching between Premier League and EFL regulations due to their promotion and relegations.
The verdict from a crucial court hearing is expected in the coming weeks to determine if they will suffer a hit in this season’s Championship campaign.
Leicester currently sit eighth under new boss Marti Cifuentes, three points off the play-offs and 12 above the relegation zone after two wins and a draw in their last three matches.
That included a 3-1 victory over Ipswich last week when Abdul Fatawu scored a Puskas contender from 70 YARDS.
Cifuentes returns to former employers QPR on Sunday in the Foxes’ last game before Christmas.
Failure to get promoted could see the club continue to recover their financial struggles.
SunSport has contacted Leicester City for comment.
