Bournemouth issue statement following 'disgusting' email to long-serving staff member

Bournemouth have issued a statement in response to backlash from their own supporters after sacking a long-serving employee. The Premier League side recently emailed several members of their matchday team to confirm that their services would no longer be required for the 2026-27 season.

A relative of the employee, a man in his 70s, labelled the decision 'disgusting' in a message on X, tagging Bournemouth CEO Jim Frevola. The post read: "A relative of ours has been working on match days for @afcbournemouth for nearly 60 years.

"Programme selling, car park duty and various other roles. 2 weeks before the season starts he received this from the club. A disgusting approach @jimfrevola club should be ashamed."

Frevola replied to the post and insisted that the club would look into the situation. On Saturday, Bournemouth released a statement in response to the criticism.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

Get our comprehensive football coverage, with news, updates, opinions, analysis and everything that matters to you, straight to your inbox.

To get it, it's a quick and easy one-two:

1. Head THIS WAY

"AFC Bournemouth has seen the concerns raised regarding changes to some of our matchday staffing arrangements," it read. "We have reviewed the way these changes were communicated to some long-serving members of our matchday team and recognise that it did not reflect the standards we expect of ourselves as a club.

"People who have given many years of service to AFC Bournemouth deserve to be treated with appreciation and respect. We are contacting those affected directly to listen to their concerns and review their individual circumstances.

"As part of our preparations for the new season, we have made changes to a number of matchday roles and working requirements as we continue to strengthen the safety and security of the stadium, its perimeter and surrounding areas. These changes are important, but so too is the way we communicate with and treat the people who have served our club.

"We should have handled this better, and we will do better. We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to AFC Bournemouth over the years, and particularly those who have served the club for decades."

It is understood that Bournemouth reached out to the aforementioned man before the statement was released. He last worked in the car park of the Vitality Stadium but has now been offered a role in a different area ahead of the new season.

Bournemouth's Premier League campaign starts away to Manchester City next Sunday. The Cherries will also play in the Europa League, having qualified for a European competition for the first time in their history last term.