The EFL confirm a suspended points deduction for Reading over the pitch invasion and owner Dai Yongge has also been charged.
Reading have been handed a suspended 3-point deduction until the end of the 2024/25 season “if any fixture played in any EFL competition is postponed or abandoned due to disruption after the Port Vale game.
The Port Vale match is to be replayed in full on Tuesday the 20th of February. Dai Yongge has also been charged today.
EFL STATEMENT:
Reading v Port Vale
The EFL Board has determined that the Sky Bet League One fixture between Reading and Port Vale should be replayed in full following its abandonment on Saturday 13 January 2024.
Following a 16th minute pitch incursion by a number of Reading supporters in protest at the ownership of the Club, the players and coaching teams were removed from the pitch, and it soon became clear that re-starting would not be possible.
Having considered all relevant factors relating to the decision taken by the match officials and club stadium staff, alongside the options available to them in accordance with the Regulations, the Board felt the most appropriate course of action was to reschedule the fixture in full.
The game will now take place on Tuesday 20th February 2024, kick-off 8pm. Both Clubs are liaising on the issue of ticket sales and will communicate arrangements via the normal channels.
Sanction for Non-Fulfilment of a Fixture
Following the abandonment, the League entered discussions with Reading in respect of the potential sanction to be imposed as a result of the Club failing to fulfil its fixture obligations and have now reached a consensus by way of an Agreed Decision, in accordance with EFL Regulations.
The Club is now subject to a suspended three-point deduction with the sanction to be activated in either the 2023/2024 season or the 2024/2025 season if any fixture played in any EFL competition is postponed or abandoned due to disruption (including incursion onto the field of play) by the Club’s supporters. If it is required, the suspended three-point deduction will become active with immediate effect in the season during which the breach occurs.
This level of sanction remains consistent with action taken in previous circumstances where an abandonment of an EFL fixture has taken place. The League continues to recognise the ongoing challenges for the Club and its supporter base and notes the views expressed at the supporter meeting held with the EFL last week in respect of imposing further immediate points deductions on the Club.
This approach aims to balance the requirements of the EFL as the competition organiser to uphold its Regulations on behalf of all member Clubs whilst providing clarity to all associated parties on the impact of any future non-fulfilment of a fixture, coming as direct result of supporter protests.
The decision is available HERE
Mr Dai Yongge
The owner of the Club, Mr Dai Yongge, has today been charged with misconduct for his repeated failures to deposit an amount equal to 125% of the Club’s forecast monthly wage bill in a designated bank account.
Mr Dai did not meet this month’s deadline, meaning he has been in default for nearly four months and remains in breach of both the first decision (August 2023) and second decision (December 2023) as ordered by the independent Disciplinary Commission.
He has also been charged with bringing the Club and/or League into disrepute as a result of his actions.
Both charges have been referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.
READING STATEMENT:
Following the abandonment of our home fixture vs Port Vale, the EFL have issued a suspended 3-point penalty against Reading Football Club, which shall automatically be triggered should any home or away match be abandoned due to crowd behaviour. This penalty shall be in place for 18-months, expiring upon the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.
The club can also confirm it has been contacted by the FA, requesting our detailed observations of the events which led to Saturday’s forced abandonment. The FA investigation is an ongoing matter and may result in serious implications, and possibly a very significant financial penalty for the club. The club will work collaboratively with the FA during this investigation and will communicate with our supporters once any decision is made.
Furthermore, The EFL have also ruled that the Port Vale fixture shall be replayed in full – with the new date already being confirmed as Tuesday 20th February, 8pm.
We recognise many fans purchased tickets for the original fixture and can confirm the following options will apply:
- Keep your tickets for new Port Vale date – your ticket will automatically be valid for the rescheduled fixture of 20th February. No action is required if you wish to take this option.
- Switch your ticket to another 2023-24 season home match. No extra charges will apply and supporters can make these arrangements by contacting the ticket office.
- For fans who cannot attend the Port Vale fixture and do not wish to attend another home match this season, they can arrange a full refund by contacting the ticket office.
All requests to move tickets or collect a refund must be made by 5pm Monday 19th February by emailing sales@readingfc.co.uk with details of the original transaction. Any requests after this date we will be unable to process. Please note that our small ticket office team will work as quickly as possible but request patience whilst we work through these requests.
Unfortunately, the club is unable to refund any supporters car parking, travel, accommodation or subsistence costs related to the original Port Vale fixture.
For hospitality ticket holders, the hospitality team will contact you directly regarding the options available.
For season ticket holders, your ticket will automatically be activated for the new fixture date. No action is required.
Visiting supporters who had tickets for this match should visit www.port-vale.co.uk for more information.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
SEE MORE: Crisis club Reading take drastic cost-cutting exercise as problems worsen
This is how fans reacted as the EFL confirm a suspended points deduction for Reading over the pitch invasion and owner Dai Yongge is also charged…
@Oi_Ffreshrfc: Result tbf. Hope we don’t fuck this up somehow.
@17Dan17: Sensible outcome.
@1871sam: Credit where credits due you’ve got something right for once
@Steve_Taylor86: That’ll teach them 🤣🤣 Vale now get another long mid week trek and back to back to back Saturday-Tuesday games. Feel sorry for Reading fans over the ownership problems but this sets a massive precedent now to get games abandoned and replayed
@TheDonBCFC: I’m no Reading fan but the EFL are the biggest bunch of pricks in English football. “Let’s punish the fans who are already being punished by bad ownership” Fucking clowns. Fuck the EFL.
@danieljcross: Fantastic news. Suspended point deduction, but Dai charged with bringing the game into disrepute. Punish the owners, not the fans.
@BenjaminGrocott: I don’t want to see fans punished due to wank owners but how’s a 3 point suspended deduction gonna stop them protesting on the pitch again😂 they should do it again just to take the piss now
@prestige_boost: Probably the most reasonable decision from a Reading fan’s POV. At least now the EFL are starting to take Dai’s poor ownership more seriously and we’ve not been deducted points (yet), so at least we know the protest had an effect.
@JamesSaintLatic: Blimey. Don’t think that’s right at all, no issue with Reading doing it, as it got them exposure they needed, but has to be 3 points for Port Vale.
@Craigb_RFC88: They won’t be as lenient if it happens again. Protests have to be done a different way now, more personal to Dai. The pitch invasion against Port Vale has brought much needed attention from media outlets but another one would turn majority against us. #readingfc
@BenRFC10: No points deduction and international point made! Anyone who says we did the wrong thing… point made!! 💙
@m1871e: Letting us off here in my eyes. Brilliant outcome imo.
@lewisradbourne1: Think we’ve got away with one there to be honest. Would like to think it puts to bed any plans to go on the pitch in future! #readingfc
@adamReadingFC: EFL let us off massively here, also 18 months time we wont have a club so it won’t matter anyways….
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