The Supporters Trust at Reading has provided an update following their meeting with the English Football League (EFL) after the club’s latest points deduction.
Reading were given a two point deduction last week after owner Dai Yongge failed to pay HMRC on time, with a further two points suspended.
The EFL has stated that they pushed for the disqualification of Dai Yongge, but the Independent Disciplinary Commission decided to not pursue that due to ‘concern of unintended consequences’.
The EFL also stated that the club should be deducted four points, but the IDC decided to punish Reading with a two point penalty and fine Dai Yongge £100,000 instead.
Notes of the minutes from the meeting with STAR said: “The EFL noted that Reading FC previously, in August 2023, received a deduction of four points, three of which were suspended. The following month the suspended point deduction was applied.
“The principle the EFL adopts when seeking to ensure future compliance and sporting integrity, is that future sporting sanctions for the same or similar breaches should be in excess of what has previously been imposed.
“As a result, four points was therefore the minimum to represent an escalating approach to sanctions, in line with the precedents set previously in other disciplinary action pursued by the EFL.
“The EFL noted that the panel agreed with the deduction of four points, but with two suspended which provides a partial mitigation. STAR challenged this point on the grounds of consequences of a deduction – noting the owner has effectively ‘checked out’, is funding the bare minimum, and the risk of sanctions is therefore harming sale changes.
“The EFL noted that League One is made up of Reading FC and 23 other clubs. It has been well established that there is a causal link between squad spend and performance which is an embedded principle in sanctioning.
“The EFL noted that points deductions are one consistent measure used across football in similar places. The decision was ultimately made by the Independent Disciplinary Commission and consistency with approaches towards other clubs is important. Finally, the EFL stated that it is not their intent to impact a sale of the Club, but other clubs in the competition will expect regulations to be applied.
“The EFL noted dismay at the reaction towards the organisation following the announcement of sanctions. The EFL stated that it understood while fans want the Club left alone, other clubs want a consistent approach to the application of regulations.
“The EFL noted that in a benefactor model, such as Reading FC, you can separate the owner from the Club to target the individual, but you cannot separate the Club from the owner entirely when it comes to the actions of the Club due to the owner, therefore sanctions are appropriate.”
To read full notes from the meeting, visit: https://star-reading.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/29_02_2024-STAR-E FL-meetingfinal.pdf
