WEBB’S EXIT AND WAGES WOE ADD TO PAIN
LEYTON Orient owner Francesco Becchetti faces an even bigger fight to sell the club after they lurched into a deeper crisis last week – culminating in a failure to pay players and staff.
Staff woke up on Friday to discover no wages in their bank accounts just two days after Danny Webb resigned as manager – the fourth boss to leave this season.
A 3-0 loss at Crawley Town last week and the club’s failure to assure Webb of his future was the tipping point, adding to Becchetti’s problems as debts continue to rise.
An unnamed American company is rumoured to have an interest, but with things spiralling out of control at the Matchroom Stadium, it is now unclear if a bid will materialise.
On the pitch, things are just as bad as Orient sit deep inside the relegation zone, with just six games to save themselves following four successive defeats prior to yesterday’s clash with Wycombe.
Omer Riza, who was part of the coaching staff, has taken charge until the end of the season but a miracle is required if Orient are to survive – a far cry from three seasons ago when they almost secured promotion to the Championship.
And the latest twist in a woeful season was met with anger by the Leyton Orient Fans’ Trust (LOFT).
“This throws into severe doubt whether the £1m promised to the court by Becchetti is actually real if he can’t find a much smaller amount for the wage bill,” said a Trust spokesman.
“We will do all we can to offer advice and support to the staff at this worrying time. We are extremely angry at their treatment.
“But to be clear, the Regeneration Fund (set up by LOFT to give them a say in the club’s future) can’t be used to pay the club’s bills while Becchetti remains in charge. He has to go – now.”