Reading FC: Redundancies announced days before Christmas

The Royals have already had 10 points deducted this season for financial breaches

A football club in financial turmoil has announced it is having to make redundancies just days before Christmas.

Reading Football Club manager Ruben Selles confirmed "at least five" members of staff will lose their jobs.

The redundancies will include employees at the club's academy which regained it's top tier rating in July.

Mr Selles said: "The whole thing is horrendous, not just the timing."

The Royals boss said he could not confirm which staff would lose their jobs as "it was confidential information" but added "there is a process to cut costs, everyone will be affected".

Reading FC have not commented on the exact number of redundancies, but according to Mr Selles it is "at least five people".

Earlier this week Reading owner Dai Yongge was fined £20,000 for failing to deposit the necessary wages at the League One club.

Dai was charged with misconduct by the English Football League in September after not banking enough money to cover 125% of the forecast monthly wage bill.

The Chinese businessman, who is looking to sell the Berkshire club, is also required to maintain the deposit levels set out by the EFL until at least the end of August.

The Royals have already had 10 points deducted this season for further financial breaches.

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Commenting on the impact of the cuts, Mr Selles said: "The move will effect the quality of talent coming through the academy, but it's not my decision and there isn't much I can do."

The academy is seen as a crucial resource for developing young talent for the cash-strapped Royals.