January 15 – The Chinese businessman who owns English club Reading has been fined £50,000 for financial mismanagement and told that he needs to “fund the club adequately” or make “immediate arrangements” to sell up.
The sanction came two days after Reading’s third-tier match at home to Port Vale was abandoned just 16 minutes into the first half after around 1,000 home fans stormed the pitch to protest against Dai Yongge.
Club officials made several appeals over the stadium loudspeakers and social media for fans to leave the field but it was eventually called off with the score at 0-0.
The club has already been deducted four points this season for failing to pay players on time.
“It has in recent months become increasingly clear that Mr Dai Yongge is no longer in a position – or does not have the motivation – to support the club financially as he did following the change of control in 2017,” the English Football League said in a statement.
“The league will now consider all available options it has under the regulations and will have no hesitation in bringing further charges against Mr Dai.
“In the meantime, and for the sake of the future of Reading FC, its staff, supporters, and local community we urge Mr Dai either to fund the club adequately or to make immediate arrangements to sell his majority shareholding to appropriate new owners so everyone can move forward with renewed optimism.”
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