Reading footballer's partner reveals worries over turmoil at club

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Yazmine DelaroseImage source, Yazmine Delarosè
Image caption,

Yazmine Delarose says the unclear future of Reading FC does "scare people"

The partner of a Reading FC player has urged owner Dai Yongge to "do the right thing" and sell the club.

The beleaguered League One side have been docked points after Mr Dai failed to pay wages and tax bills on time.

Yazmine Delarose, partner of midfielder Lewis Wing, said the uncertainty had "directly affected" her family and those of staff at the club.

Her comments come as Reading's former chief executive said a deal to sell the Royals could be completed by mid-May.

They are eight points above the drop zone after having six points deducted this season.

Fans forced the abandonment of their match with Port Vale in January in protest at Mr Dai's ownership.

Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Reading fans have held numerous protests against owner Chinese businessman Dai Yongge

The English Football League (EFL) previously issued a series of penalties against Mr Dai for financial misconduct and urged him to start funding the club or sell up as soon as possible.

The BBC understands Reading has a cash shortfall of about £1m for March.

Among her recent posts on X, external, Ms Delarose said "This situation is wrong on so many levels and I've had enough of being silent and sitting back waiting for it the magically be okay!"

Midfielder Wing joined the club last year and moved closer to the area with Miss Delarose and their young son.

She told the BBC: "I just wanted to let everyone to know, that everyone close to the club are all in the same boat - that I was feeling it.

"When we joined Reading it was so exciting, I thought we'd be able to set roots down, get my little boy into nursery, buy a house and start settling down.

"Now no-one knows what's going on, the fans and the employees don't know what that next stages looks like - the unknown does scare people."

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Lewis Wing joined Reading from Wycombe Wanderers in 2023

She praised the fans who had been "incredible" throughout the recent troubles.

"You get told Reading is a real family club - now I've really experienced this first hand, it couldn't be more true," she added.

She called on Mr Dai to "do the right thing".

"Cut your losses and sell the club to someone who is genuinely interested, passionate and motivated to push the club to what we all know it can be," she added.

Nigel Howe, Reading's former chief executive, was asked by Mr Dai to oversee the sale of the club and said he hoped to have a deal in place soon.

Mr Howe, who is now property projects manager at the Royals, said any interested party would have to have an offer accepted and pass the EFL's rules which require proof of funds to run a club sustainably for two years.

"It's a tortuous process to keep having to repeat to prospective buyers or to find out they've managed to scramble enough money together to buy the club but can't go forward and meet the owners and directors test," he added.

In January, current chief executive Dayong Pang said Mr Dai was "100% willing" to sell the club, and asked for fans to be "patient" while a deal was finalised.

He told TalkSport Mr Dai "understands how important the club is" to the community and added: "He's trying to put the club into safe hands. We cannot just sell the club to any people who come in."

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