Former Leyton Orient owner Barry Hearn has taken to social media this morning to quit as the east London Club's honorary president.
Hearn ran the club for 19 years before selling to Italian businessman Francesco Becchetti in 2014 for what is believed to be for £4million.
The Matchroom Sport chairman said the decision came due to the absence of staff wages for the month of march.
In a statement, he released online on the Matchroom Sport website Hearn said: "It is with sadness that I have decided to resign my honorary role as Life President of Leyton Orient FC with immediate effect.
"I cannot be associated in any way with a club/business that does not pay the wages and salaries of its hard working staff, players and officials.
"I hope for everyone’s sake that the stewardship of the club is resolved as quickly as possible and everyone will be repaid all that they are owed."
@shepkennedy president. Yes.
— Barry Hearn (@BarryHearn) April 24, 2014
@FatherOrient @OrientBraces @simonbernstein @leytonorientfc Not leaving a sinking ship More leaving an owner who doesn't play by my rules
— Barry Hearn (@BarryHearn) April 24, 2014
@shepkennedy I cant be associated in any way with any company that doesn't pay the staff their due wages on time.
— Barry Hearn (@BarryHearn) April 24, 2017
The 68-year-old has previously pulled no punches over the Italians ownership and admitted he never saw this coming.
In a short statement on the Matchroom website, he said:"It is with sadness that I have decided to resign my honorary role as life president of Leyton Orient with immediate effect.
"I cannot be associated in any way with a club/business that does not pay the wages and salaries of its hard working staff, players and officials.
"I hope for everyone’s sake that the stewardship of the club is resolved as quickly as possible and everyone will be repaid all that they are owed."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article