I think some people misunderstand ‘fit and proper’ to mean ‘has good morals’ or ‘has the best interests of the club’ (maybe understandably so). It’s mainly a financial test.
"Fit and proper" more or less translates to "has access to enough money." By which standard Dai Yongge passed then and actually probably still would. As far as I can tell he does still have the funds to run the club, he just doesn't want to.
Yeah…that was my point. I was referring to the suggestion he should have failed the test because of mismanagement.
The EFL tests and processes have become much more robust - partly as a result of wrong’uns like Southall. That’s all too late for Reading though so we end up in the conundrum of clubs and therefore fans getting punished / sanctioned by the league (ie the other clubs) because of their misfortune to have bad owners.
It’s all stuff which the upcoming legislation and the independent regulator should address. But there’s no clarity re how it works for legacy situations like this.
The EFL tests and processes have become much more robust - partly as a result of wrong’uns like Southall. That’s all too late for Reading though so we end up in the conundrum of clubs and therefore fans getting punished / sanctioned by the league (ie the other clubs) because of their misfortune to have bad owners.
It’s all stuff which the upcoming legislation and the independent regulator should address. But there’s no clarity re how it works for legacy situations like this.
But when’s the upcoming legislation actually going to be coming? We’re still waiting for the Renters Reform Bill to become law…
I think some people misunderstand ‘fit and proper’ to mean ‘has good morals’ or ‘has the best interests of the club’ (maybe understandably so). It’s mainly a financial test.
"Fit and proper" more or less translates to "has access to enough money." By which standard Dai Yongge passed then and actually probably still would. As far as I can tell he does still have the funds to run the club, he just doesn't want to.
From what i understand there was a big push as everyone knows a few years back from Xi Jingpin to get China into football. The Chinese super league exploded, tons of money was invested and they had grand plans to become a world superpower. As a result of this some of the wealthiest Chinese were encouraged to buy European clubs.
However years later Xi Jingpin lost interest, China's strict zero covid policy ruined things financially for a lot of clubs, some of the clubs went bust when sponsors subsequently pulled out, most of the top players left and the Reading owner also seemingly lost interest around this time.
The EFL tests and processes have become much more robust - partly as a result of wrong’uns like Southall. That’s all too late for Reading though so we end up in the conundrum of clubs and therefore fans getting punished / sanctioned by the league (ie the other clubs) because of their misfortune to have bad owners.
It’s all stuff which the upcoming legislation and the independent regulator should address. But there’s no clarity re how it works for legacy situations like this.
Regardless of how robust the tests are, Yongge would still probably pass them even today. He came into football with no previous track record (like Southall) and as a very wealthy Chinese businessman prepared to invest a lot of money (which he has actually done).
The EFL have no way of knowing whether an owner is going to lose interest 6-7 years down the line. Is he 'clean' in terms of previous misdemeanours, does he have proof of funds to buy the club, can he deposit funds to run the club for 2 years. If it's a yes to all of those, how can they reject someone?
What I don't get with the whole Dai Yongge thing is that Reading wasn't the only club he'd tried to buy , he tried to buy Hull City first from the Allams and then ran into issues surrounding the Premier Leagues tests. Then he's allowed to buy Reading because the EFL don't find any issues.
Came in, spent big money to try and get them promoted (£7m on George Puscas a Romanian striker from Inter was probably the big one) and now has just lost complete interest in even doing the basics.
I wouldn't be overly surprised if our game there on the 10th Feb is behind closed doors.
Giving the football club a points deduction for the actions of a absent foreign owner is just so wrong. The fans are the ones ultimately being penalised....the state Reading are in now is where we could have been. They will be losing their best players because of the owner, and again who bears the brunt of that? the fans.
I really hope we take a big contingent over there and support Reading just like Brighton, Burnley etal supported us.
Its our game, us fans are here long after people like Yongge are long forgotten.
As Reading FC supporters are only too aware, it has in recent months become increasingly clear that Mr Dai Yongge is no longer in a position - or does not have the motivation - to support the Club financially as he did following the change of control in 2017.
In November 2023, the EFL called for the disqualification of Mr Dai following the failure to fund the deposit account to cover player and staff salaries following repeated breaches of EFL Regulations. This was ultimately rejected by an Independent Disciplinary Commission and a financial sanction was imposed instead.
The EFL has now received confirmation that Mr Dai did not meet last Friday’s latest deadline to fund the deposit account as ordered, meaning he has been in default for nearly four months. As a result – and as per the terms of the 15 December decision - a further £50,000 fine has now been imposed, taking the total to £80,000.
His continued failings mean that once again the Club's hardworking staff have no reassurance as to payment of wages and demonstrates a clear disregard for his obligations as a director of the Club.
In respect of this issue, the League will now consider all available options it has under the Regulations and will have no hesitation in bringing further charges against Mr Dai.
In the meantime, and for the sake of the future of Reading FC, its staff, supporters, and local community we urge Mr Dai either to fund the Club adequately or to make immediate arrangements to sell his majority shareholding to appropriate new owners so everyone can move forward with renewed optimism.
For our part, we will work with Mr Dai, his team, and the Club plus any potential purchaser to navigate and meet the requirements of the Regulations as quickly as is physically possible and bring an end to this difficult period for all parties.
What followed the events at the end of last week were the unfortunate scenes on Saturday afternoon that led to the abandonment of the fixture versus Port Vale, and further demonstrated the impact the current situation is having on everyone associated with the Club.
However, entering the field of play is a criminal offence and puts the safety of all participants at risk. The EFL Board will discuss events at Saturday’s match during its meeting later this week as it has a responsibility to the League’s member clubs and the competition to ensure all 72 Clubs meet the requirements of the rules as previously agreed by EFL Clubs.
Finally, the League has been in regular dialogue with the Supporters Trust at Reading (STAR) in recent months and has always made – and will continue to do so – itself available to recognised supporters’ groups to discuss challenging situations and, regarding current matters involving Reading, has arranged to meet with representatives of a number of groups in the next 24 hours.
Up to £8,000 has been raised for a statue at Port Vale FC, after Reading supporters started donating to apologise for the abandonment of Saturday's game.
A total of £100,000 is needed for a statue of former long-serving Vale manager John Rudge.
Up to £8,000 has been raised for a statue at Port Vale FC, after Reading supporters started donating to apologise for the abandonment of Saturday's game.
A total of £100,000 is needed for a statue of former long-serving Vale manager John Rudge.
Comments
If it's behind closed doors, would it be available on Charlton TV!
However years later Xi Jingpin lost interest, China's strict zero covid policy ruined things financially for a lot of clubs, some of the clubs went bust when sponsors subsequently pulled out, most of the top players left and the Reading owner also seemingly lost interest around this time.
The EFL have no way of knowing whether an owner is going to lose interest 6-7 years down the line. Is he 'clean' in terms of previous misdemeanours, does he have proof of funds to buy the club, can he deposit funds to run the club for 2 years. If it's a yes to all of those, how can they reject someone?
Came in, spent big money to try and get them promoted (£7m on George Puscas a Romanian striker from Inter was probably the big one) and now has just lost complete interest in even doing the basics.
I wouldn't be overly surprised if our game there on the 10th Feb is behind closed doors.
I really hope we take a big contingent over there and support Reading just like Brighton, Burnley etal supported us.
Its our game, us fans are here long after people like Yongge are long forgotten.
EFL Statement: Mr Dai Yongge
As Reading FC supporters are only too aware, it has in recent months become increasingly clear that Mr Dai Yongge is no longer in a position - or does not have the motivation - to support the Club financially as he did following the change of control in 2017.
In November 2023, the EFL called for the disqualification of Mr Dai following the failure to fund the deposit account to cover player and staff salaries following repeated breaches of EFL Regulations. This was ultimately rejected by an Independent Disciplinary Commission and a financial sanction was imposed instead.
The EFL has now received confirmation that Mr Dai did not meet last Friday’s latest deadline to fund the deposit account as ordered, meaning he has been in default for nearly four months. As a result – and as per the terms of the 15 December decision - a further £50,000 fine has now been imposed, taking the total to £80,000.
His continued failings mean that once again the Club's hardworking staff have no reassurance as to payment of wages and demonstrates a clear disregard for his obligations as a director of the Club.
In respect of this issue, the League will now consider all available options it has under the Regulations and will have no hesitation in bringing further charges against Mr Dai.
In the meantime, and for the sake of the future of Reading FC, its staff, supporters, and local community we urge Mr Dai either to fund the Club adequately or to make immediate arrangements to sell his majority shareholding to appropriate new owners so everyone can move forward with renewed optimism.
For our part, we will work with Mr Dai, his team, and the Club plus any potential purchaser to navigate and meet the requirements of the Regulations as quickly as is physically possible and bring an end to this difficult period for all parties.
What followed the events at the end of last week were the unfortunate scenes on Saturday afternoon that led to the abandonment of the fixture versus Port Vale, and further demonstrated the impact the current situation is having on everyone associated with the Club.
However, entering the field of play is a criminal offence and puts the safety of all participants at risk. The EFL Board will discuss events at Saturday’s match during its meeting later this week as it has a responsibility to the League’s member clubs and the competition to ensure all 72 Clubs meet the requirements of the rules as previously agreed by EFL Clubs.
Finally, the League has been in regular dialogue with the Supporters Trust at Reading (STAR) in recent months and has always made – and will continue to do so – itself available to recognised supporters’ groups to discuss challenging situations and, regarding current matters involving Reading, has arranged to meet with representatives of a number of groups in the next 24 hours.
https://www.efl.com/news/2024/january/15/efl-statement--mr-dai-yongge/
A total of £100,000 is needed for a statue of former long-serving Vale manager John Rudge.
More than £87,000 has now been raised.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-68005635
I love this, 88k+
https://www.gofundme.com/f/john-rudge-statue-fund
Suspended 3 point deduction. The game will be replayed on the 20th February
I know in jest, but we need to win fair
But we do have some good fans with a general good understanding of other clubs predicaments.
Just make sure the team get our full backing this coming Saturday.