Reading FC deducted another three points
A suspended three-point deduction has been triggered after the owner failed to meet a deadline over depositing funds for wages
Reading Football Club has been deducted three points.
The suspended three-point penalty has been activated as a result of owner Mr Dai failing to deposit an amount equating to 125% of the club's monthly wage bill into a designated account by the deadline of Tuesday 12 September 2023, as ordered by the Independent Disciplinary Commission in its decision of 15 August 2023.
Last month, the club received a one-point penalty in relation to breaches of Regulation 64.7 of the EFL Regulations (relating to three instances of late payment of player wages), with a further three-point suspended penalty to be applied should the club fail to pay players' wages on time on any further occasion before 30 June 2024, or should the deposit payment fail to be paid.
The club now has two points despite two wins this season.
A spokesperson for the club said:
"As communicated to our supporters previously, Mr Dai is currently undertaking an ongoing process of seeking sources of stable external investment for the football club, with the aim of mitigating the risk of cashflow complications arising in future."
The EFL said:
"The EFL continues to acknowledge the negative impact sporting sanctions are having on the Football Club and remain extremely disappointed and frustrated at the Club’s ownership to meet its ongoing obligations under EFL Regulations. The League will continue to apply its rules in all circumstances deemed appropriate."
Fan group 'Elm Park Royals' said:
"More point deductions and any positive mood is instantly killed by Dai Yongge.
"Nothing will improve until he sells the club.
"He’s sending us to L2 as we’re virtually guaranteed to lose more points at some point soon with him."