Reading have been referred to an independent disciplinary commission by the English Football League for continued non-payment of debts owed to HMRC.
Having defaulted in relation to the amount owed to HMRC for both September and October 2023, the Sky Bet League One club – served with yet another winding-up petition last month – are currently under a registration embargo.
In addition, Reading are already subject to a fee restriction for the next three transfer windows after it accumulated 30 days or more of late payments in the current 12-month period, from July 1 last year. As of October 31, this default period stood at 79 days.
Separately, proceedings against Reading owner Yongge Dai continue after he was charged in September for failure to comply with an order from an independent disciplinary commission to deposit an amount equal to 125 per cent of the club’s forecast monthly wage bill.
Reading were docked three points on September 13 over the failure to comply with the order, which had been imposed after the club did not pay player wages on time and in full on or around October 31 and November 30 last year, and again on April 28 this year.
The EFL said the hearing on that charge is expected to take place by the end of November, while the independent disciplinary commission will eventually determine an appropriate “further sanction” for Reading following the latest referral by the governing body.
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch said: “This is a challenging situation for all involved and we understand the frustrations of supporters and the negative impact sporting sanctions and further charges are having on the football club.
“As a league, we are required to ensure all 72 members are treated fairly and consistently on all matters so that the integrity of the competition is maintained.
“These consistent failures of the club’s ownership to meet its ongoing obligations have a knock-on effect on all clubs and as such, the deterrents in place must be actioned when breached.
“We have today met with the Reading Supporters Trust to discuss the ongoing challenges and will continue to work with the club in an attempt find a positive solution moving forward.”
Ahead of Saturday’s home match against Portsmouth, around 2,000 Reading supporters staged a protest march against the club’s Chinese owner.
The protests from the “Sell Before We Dai” group carried on when the game was briefly delayed twice during the opening stages after tennis balls were thrown on to the pitch – prompting an announcement the match would be abandoned if it continued.
Reading took an early 2-0 lead, but eventually lost 3-2, to leave Ruben Selles’ side two points adrift at the bottom of the table.
Published: by Radio NewsHub