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Sports Direct in trouble again after staff at Welsh store told they should only speak English

Published: 14:51 07 Aug 2017 BST

Sports Direct
Sports Direct struggled to repair its reputation following a string of scandals

Sports Direct International plc (LON:SPD) has landed itself in hot water yet again after it was forced to apologise over a notice at a Welsh store telling staff they should only speak English.

The notice at the store in Bangor, north west Wales, said: “English is the official language of the company and should be used at all times when carrying out company business, unless otherwise specified.

“It has come to our attention that some members of staff are speaking in languages other than English whilst carrying out their duties.”

The statement told staff they must speak English at all times, including any personal conversations that may take place at work.

Plaid Cymru AM Sian Gwenllian slammed the notice as "discriminatory" in an area where many people speak Welsh.

Welsh language commissioner, Meri Huws, has launched an investigation any breaches in rules.

Sports Direct apologises for misunderstanding

A Sports Direct spokesperson said the notice was not intended to restrict the use of the Welsh language and the sportswear retailer will be reviewing the wording of the statement.  It will reissue an updated notice with clearer wording.

“We apologise for any misunderstanding or upset this notice has caused,” the spokesperson said.

“It was intended to ensure that all staff, who attended briefings on health and safety and other important issues, fully understood the content of these communications.”

The spokesperson appeared to defend the firm’s request that staff refrain from speaking languages other than English.  “English is the most common language used by our multi lingual staff, and therefore, the most likely to be understood by all,” they said.

Still, the company insisted that it was an “international business and fully support the use of the local language in all our jurisdictions”.

Sports Direct's reputation takes another hit

Sports Direct has been struggling to repair its image following a string of scandals, including the ill-treatment of employees and a lawsuit over what chief executive Mike Ashley allegedly said at a London pub.

Ashley last month won a High Court battle against an investment banker, who claimed the Sports Direct boss had promised him £15mln if he could increase the company’s share price to 800p, during a night of heavy drinking at the Horse & Groom pub.

 Last year MPs accused the retailer of not treating its employees like humans, saying its working practices were similar to those of a Victorian workhouse.

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