Two of Dundee United’s leading supporters’ groups have launched a blistering attack on the way the Tannadice Club is being run.
ArabTRUST and the Committee of the Federation of DUSC said they are “shocked” that quarter of £6.3 million worth of transfer fees has, they claim, been paid to unnamed third parties.
The strongly-worded statement also criticises season ticket costs, investment at Tannadice and “the overall management of the club,” which announced profits of £1.2 million on Wednesday.
It said: “It is with regret that we have to make such a statement. However, we feel that following the discussions held we have no other option and it is our duty to do so as shareholders in the club and as elected members of the committees of fans representative bodies.
“We were shocked to find out that a huge amount of ‘commission’ has been paid to unnamed parties from the sale of gour players Gauld, Robertson, Armstrong and Mackay-Steven.
“We believe this figure to be in excess of £500k. This does not include payments to players, agents or other clubs. When all of these various payments are totalled, over 25% of the £6.3m in fees received has not been kept in the club.”
The Federation said it has submitted 22 questions to United chairman Stephen Thompson and the board around the Thompson family’s shareholding and debt management at the Tannadice club.
The joint statement concluded: “Given the points above, we believe that changes are required as to how Dundee United is managed.
“We want our club to be successful and stable, both on and off the park.
“Both ArabTRUST and the Federation wish only the best for Dundee United; the club is deep within our hearts and we hope that by the time we formally meet again with the Board of DUFC that the necessary changes have been made to improve the management of the club and allow us in the future to prosper on the field.”
Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson told the BBC he had no comment to make on the statement.