BRIGHTON and Hove Albion claim they have been “named and shamed” by Government officials for being “over-generous” with expenses to work experience staff.

The club were named among 198 companies in what the Department for Business, Enterprise and Industrial Strategy [BEIS] is calling their biggest list ever of firms not paying minimum wage.

Albion has been accused of owing £2,861.64 to one worker but club officials said they were “very disappointed to be named” having already pleaded their innocence to Government officials.

The Seagulls were named alongside another Football League side, Blackpool, in the list of nearly 200 firms nationwide.

Other Sussex companies listed by HMRC have also hit back at being named claiming they have been unfairly treated.

Hove-based French restaurant Le Nantais Bistro is accused of owing £362.44 to one worker and St Leonards-based P W W Ice Cream Supplies of underpaying an employee £106.72.

Albion officials said the club had made a minor administrative error in paying expenses to a work experience placement at the club two years ago which was quickly corrected.

External legal experts advised the club had not breached employment regulations.

A club spokesman said because of the HMRC's decision, which the club are unable to appeal, Albion had suspended its work experience programme and been forced to close the door to “many graduates seeking such opportunities”.

He added: "As a business we feel our reputation as a responsible employer has been very unfairly tarnished.

“We are one of the few clubs who pays its staff the over and above the national living wage.

"Unfortunately, in light of this, we are now more risk averse in terms of offering work experience opportunities."

Pascal Benamari, owner of Le Nantais Bistro, said the company had been drawn into the issue because of a dispute with a young worker he let go after a ten day trial.

He said: "This guy was unqualified and wanted the wages of a fully-trained chef.

"This is not fair for us to be named, I have 30 employees and the only problem I've had is with this one guy.

"I'm really angry about this, I think its unprofessional of the guy and of the Government."

A P W W Ice Cream spokeswoman said their alleged under payment was a “genuine mistake” when the company was switching between bookkeepers and that all money owed had been paid to staff.

She added: “I can’t say anything or do anything.

“The Government doesn’t help employers, it’s all about the employees.”