Reading accept points deduction with possibility of more added on

Reading accept being handed a points deduction with there being also a possibility of more added on, journalist Courtney Friday confirms.

The Royals are set to be hit with a nine-point deduction, which will be applied to the 2021/22 season, following their financial issues.

The Championship outfit have had the prospect of a deduction hanging over them for some time, as the club have exceeded the operating losses that are allowed for second tier clubs, and it was claimed last month that an announcement was due soon.

Courtney Friday has stated that the Berkshire outfit have accepted a nine-point penalty, with a further three suspended.

“As I understand it, Reading FC are set to accept a NINE point deduction with a potential three added on (subject to conditions). I’m also told the deduction must take place this season.”

That would be a major blow for Veljko Paunovic and his men, as his side fell to a fourth successive defeat against Millwall on Tuesday evening, which left the team 17th in the table ahead of the remaining fixtures on Wednesday night.

However, once the deduction was applied, Reading would fall to 21st in the table, one place and one point above the relegation zone.

Veljko Paunovic responded to rumours that the Royal’s have accepted a points deduction as well as opening up about managing the team from home after testing positive for Covid-19.

Assistant manager Marko Mitrovic was in charge of the Royal’s 1-0 loss to Millwall with Paunovic only able to watch from afar.

He also said he was “feeling fine” but it was “difficult” not being able to prepare the team in a post-match Zoom press conference.

The boss said: “I’m feeling grateful and thankful that I had an opportunity to be double vaccinated.

“I really feel fine despite the positive test and minor symptoms I feel good.

“It was horrible. I don’t want to compare it to anything. We did hold Zoom meetings and with the players individually and as a group but it’s not the same.

“The proximity is very important and being able to sense what’s going on out there and being able to communicate directly is irreplaceable when you can’t do it in person.

“Not being to help or support the team is very difficult.”

When asked about the rumours that the Royal’s had accepted a nine points deduction the manager didn’t give anything away.

He said: “The major thing we have right now is the situation with the team.

“We have to regroup and prepare for Saturday, that’s the only focus we have right now.

“We are not going to wait passively for the storm to hit so we have to do our job and we know we need to work and get points, and recover as soon as possible our confidence and winning streak.”

Fans have reacted as Reading accept points deduction with a possibility of more added on…

@MatDevon: We will stay up this year but won’t have a squad to compete next year.

@carterusm1973: Comedy timing……

@Callumc1871: Holy shit. Mission survival is on.

@tom_endean: I think we’ll be lucky to stay in the championship, let’s be honest 😂

@joel_shelton: Need to cut the rut or with that we’ll be battling relegation. Team disappears at the end of the season too. Rough time to be a Royal.

@Arch33s: Oh my fucking days

@maxiebadger: Hahahahhahahah league one will be fun anyway

@georgestw1tter: Just when you thought being a Reading fan couldn’t get any worse

@TwoTeam_FC: How did we start the season aiming for play-offs and now it’s another relegation battle that we’ll probably lose…

@uptheroyals1871: Jeez, let’s just take it and get on with it! If we stay up or for that matter don’t, we are starting from scratch next season, literally! #readingfc

@Three0Walcott: The Posh are staying up! What a season. Stick in this league long enough and we’ll win it by default.

@Neal_Huss: Just give us what ever you like. The @EFL are cowboys. Taking their pants down for sky and dishing out sanctions like they understand governance!! #Fucktheefl

@readingfclens: I give up. No players, no fight, no points. #readingfc

@swifty1871: Absolutely great

@mitchrfc1: Ah fuck. League 1 it is then

@dingaidan_: Punishment surely doesn’t fit the crime here? Especially if Derby are getting the same

@LukeB_RFC: Fucking hell we might go down.

@deanocx: Read this just as I’ve watched us go one down at the den, relegation battle back on the cards

@eoghan1996: Ffs hard enough with 10 first team players injured

@AndyRFCCharman: ‘Accept’? We have no effing choice. Wouldn’t blame our owners at all if they said ‘F#ck you @EFL’ and walked away. Would show how in reality #FFP does f#ck all to keep clubs in business. #readingfc

@AndyRFCCharman: F#cking joke. They’ve already cost us countless points with the transfer restrictions. I’m seriously thinking about stopping following professsional football in this country. It’s fixed & all about maintaining the big club status quo. F*ck you @EFL #readingfc

@japringle23: this club is genuinely trying to kill me

@Jamie_Hodder21: Great to find out half way through the game. Fuck you @EFL

@pott95: Just to top off a nice evening. Shocking second half again. Seriously in massive bother. Bring on League One. #readingfc

@ryandgl: Not shocked atall. Break the rules, pay the price. Think we’ll end up staying up this season but next season is where we are going to be in deep shit if we don’t get money for players, grim times ahead. #readingfc

@hk3mp: 🎵 We’re all going on a league one tour 🎵

@garyfleming14: It never rains but it pours.