MP joins Reading supporters calling for inquiry

The football club has been owned by Dai Yongge and his sister since 2017

An MP has joined a supporters' group in calling for an inquiry into Reading's current owners.

The club is still up for sale following protests in Westminster and at home matches, instability which has led to relegation to League One, points deductions and transfer embargoes.

Yuan Yang, who represents Earley and Woodley, supports the campaign by the Sell Before We Dai group to ask MPs to investigate Reading's governance since May 2012, with a particular focus since May 2017.

They said there is "no end in sight" to the problems the club has endured since Dai Yongge and his sister Dai Xiu Li took it over nearly eight years ago.

The Sell Before We Dai group has spent seasons protesting Dai Yongge's ownership

"Fans have been left in the dark by Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li for quite some time - and we welcome the possibility of an inquiry taking place," Sarah Turner, the chair of Supporters' Trust at Reading (STAR), said.

"Our supporters, many of whom continue to show up week in, week out, deserve better after many months of uncertainty.

"Having collaborated with other supporters' groups in the past and present, we are firmly aware that we aren't the only club that has suffered from the consequences of having absent owners."

Mrs Turner spoke to MPs in May about the club's ownership problems and supports an independent regulator for the sport.

The supporters want the Culture, Media and Sport and Business and Trade select committees to launch investigations into the club.

"I'm glad Sell Before We Dai have joined me in calling for an inquiry into Reading FC's absent owner," Yang said.

She said she is "confident" that further regulation will help clubs, like Reading, but "clubs in peril now need answers".

A potential takeover by former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig fell through in September.

Despite the instability the Royals sit ninth in League One and take on leaders Birmingham on Saturday.