Reading face three EFL charges for failing to pay players on time and in full
- Published
Reading were deducted six points last season for breaching terms of an agreed business plan for a previous profit and sustainability rule breach
Reading have been charged with failing to pay their players on time and in full on three occasions last season by the English Football League.
The charges relate to October, November and April's wage bills.
Reading's owner Dai Yongge has also been charged with causing the club to be in breach of EFL regulations.
The managerless Royals were relegated to League One last season for the first time in 21 years following their disappointing 2022-23 campaign.
Reading and Dai have until 16:00 BST on Thursday, 29 June to respond to the charges.
Wigan Athletic, who were also relegated from the Championship, have faced similar charges from the EFL for failing to pay their players on time.
The Latics were subsequently docked four points on two occasions and will start their League One campaign with an eight-point deficit on their opponents.
Reading were deducted six points by the EFL in April for breaching the terms of an agreed business plan for a previous profit and sustainability rule breach - all but sealing their relegation fate.
They were were also given a six-point penalty in 2021, for losing £57.8m between 2017 and 2021 - the EFL's limit for that period was £39m.
On Thursday, Royals chief executive Dayong Pang posted a letter to fans where he said he was "confident" the club would "fully correct the mistakes that were made many years ago".
He added: "As a club, financially we continue to face a number of significant challenges and our owner, Mr Dai, is working very hard to resolve those issues to ensure the future of Reading Football Club is stable, successful, progressive and positive."
Analysis - 'Royals fans disillusioned and exasperated'
Tim Dellor, BBC Radio Berkshire sports editor and Reading commentator
People are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the owners.
Many fans believe that, since taking over in 2017, Dai Yongge has come across as disconnected and aloof.
While he was bankrolling the club fans, staff and players could just about tolerate that.
Now you add chaotic and disorganised to the charge sheet and they're exasperated.
Unusually in their statement, the EFL specifically named Dai Yongge responsible for "causing the club to be in breach of EFL regulations".
On several occasions in the last year the shambolic way he runs the club's finances - requiring money to be transferred from China to the UK monthly - has inevitably led to delays in payments.
The unenviable hat-trick of a points deduction in three consecutive seasons is now a real possibility and the transfer embargo will likely remain in place.
Appointing a suitably qualified manager becomes more challenging, because who will want to risk their reputation jumping into this mess?
Having been stung more than once in the last 10 years by misguided owners, fans know to be careful what they wish for.
That said, most supporters are now hoping a wealthy knight in shining armour rides in to save the day.
Oh, for the stability and clear leadership of Sir John Madejski.