Reading given another points deduction and be dragged back into League One relegation battle

Reading are being given another points deduction and be dragged back into the League One relegation battle, according to reports.

The Royals, who sit five points above the drop zone, have already faced a four point deduction this season due to delayed wage payments on multiple occasions in the past year.

But now they will be deducted another two points, plus a further two suspended, meaning they are will be three points above the relegation zone with Yongge also fined £100k.

Owner Dai Yongge, who has been the target of fan protests over the last eight months, has also faced penalties recently for his management of the club.

EXCL🚨🚨: Reading set to be hit with fresh two-point deduction for HMRC-related issue. Staff and players now aware. Plenty believe it could have been worse. 11 games to go with nothing else hanging overhead. https://t.co/QHhZcKYL0j #readingfc

— James Earnshaw (@james_e1871) February 27, 2024

Now up to 18 points deducted for Dai Yongge at #ReadingFC. Two points to be deducted – plus a further two suspended – for persistent non-payment of monies to HMRC. Yongge also fined £100k. New deduction puts them on 36 points, three above the relegation zone. More @TeleFootball

— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) February 27, 2024

But the club has been consistently late in paying HMRC for over 100 days in the last year, which exceeds the new EFL regulations allowing only up to 80 days.

And according to the Reading Chronicle, Reading are now set to lose two more points, putting them three points above the relegation zone with 11 games remaining this season.

The team, managed by Ruben Selles, has faced challenges on and off field and has reportedly been informed of the latest development, with it being the third season in a row that they have had points deducted, taking the total to 18 lost.

EFL STATEMENT:

READING STATEMENT:

This is how fans reacted with reports Reading are to be given another points deduction and be dragged back into League One relegation battle…

@cjlsmith87: Makes Saturdays loss look much worse now and the Carlisle game an absolute must win. After tonight’s matches could be only just outside relegation or even in relegation of the deduction comes in next few days.

@royalex_B: You’ve got to be kidding me

@RegReid7: 18th minute protests now!!!

@RussellBeaven: I’m guessing the EFL has to do something and that something is 2point deduction, it could and probably should be worse. I guess they have done what they have to. Let’s get this club sold for gods sake!

@Jacob97106277: Do the efl not realise these punishments do nothing but make fans rapidly fall out of love with their club? Its Dai Yonge they should be punishing, not the fans

@Houlton11: Ah, the EFL back punishing the fans and players instead of the owner. Corrupt organisation #Readingfc

@RFCjoe1: So much for not punishing the fans and going after the owner. This is getting boring now! Get this Cunt out the club

@andypovey: I think that’s me done. I can accept losing games if my team is unlucky or not good enough, but I can’t relate to this. Watching your team win games against all odds and then weeks later having those points taken away isn’t what being a fan is about. #readingfc

@lines_aviation: Need to learn from the mistakes of last season and not allow this to be the blow that makes us go down. Protest on the 18th minute, but for the rest of the 90 we need to be backing the team and earning those points back. #Readingfc

@smujjii87: The circus goes on. This is why Saturday and away at fleetwod were key for max points. Saturday is must win more than it was already. Maybe the tennis balls need to come back out home and away. The club have pulled the wool over our eyes because we had a purple patch #readingfc

@mitchrfc1: Take to the pitch again then 👍

@PaulFrankfurt71:
Oh FFS.
Seriously makes you wonder what the point is.
Simply have to win the next 2 now.
Third season in a row of -6.
Three seasons. Three.
#readingfc

@blickbuster: I think the EFL’s hands are tied to a certain extent, the rules are there as are the punishments. I think it’s just becoming clearer (if it wasn’t already) that the rules are absolutely not fit for purpose, especially with a rogue owner who just doesn’t care. #readingfc

@Reeceyboi147: Carisle and Wycombe we need 6 points, Dai could send us down with further point deductions, How is it even fair supporting Reading anymore, owner & EFL are a joke. Get a win and we dont even no if we get to keep the points 😬 6 points down 🖕 Ruben Selles Barmy Army #readingfc

@Arobertsroyals: the bloke is a joke, protest moving to the 18th minute

@ryandgl: We need to give this team one huge celebration at the last home game. This season has been awful but the players and staff have kept battling! I’m confident we will still stay up but that’s purely down to the hard work that’s been put in. #readingfc

@Tatum1871: Don’t worry because the EFL are aware of the impact the sanctions are having on the club and are aware that these punishments don’t do anything to Dai Yongge! Everything is fine! #ReadingFC

@Reading106: What a farce. This is why losing to S’bury is not okay and holding players/manager to account is needed. Yes they’re in an awful situation, but it doesn’t give a free pass. Dai is and will continue to screw us. Until he’s gone, he’s still here. #Readingfc

@mickbmack: Isn’t this just fucking boring now for every single person involved? Just fuck off you cunt #readingfc

@longlaneroyal: Another 2pt deduction!!! FUCK OFF DAI 🤬 #readingfc

@Jdh72Joel: You’d think after deducting 16 points and it not making a difference that the EFL would realise it’s pointless. Something really needs to change at the EFL, they are absolutely useless. Once again fans and players suffer from someone else’s actions. #readingfc

@_JackRFC_: FUCK DAI YONGGE AND FUCK THE EFL

@AidenRFC_: you’ve got to be fucking kidding me 🤦‍♂️

@thesimpsonRFC: The HMRC disciplinary hearing was always going to hanging over #readingfc until it was concluded. Now it is matters can now solely focused on the pitch. The players have shown they are more than capable of staying in this league, need to turn those draws into wins now

@kieranb81: I’d say this would be to Vales benefit but then that would rely on us ever actually winning a game so it probably isn’t. Amazing the Reading players haven’t mailed the season in given the circumstances

@Olly49572250: haha fuck off we’re actually going down #readingfc

@markharding1988: Here we go again! 🙈

@ronniemac93: Tennis balls for the 18th minute now then 😂😔 #readingfc

Why was the deduction not announced immediately after the hearing?! At least give the team maximum time to absorb YET ANOTHER punishment because of its negligent owner.

Zero faith this is the end of the deductions this club will suffer either.#SellBeforeWeDai #ReadingFC https://t.co/FII0Caafy5

— Caroline Parker (@CazParker1871) February 27, 2024

Didn’t take the 2 pts when the hearing was held as too much heat at the time.

Now there’s some hope, so now take them off, and all of a sudden, you’re seeing the remaining games through a completely different lens. Shades of last season now and very worrying. #ReadingFC

— Caroline Parker (@CazParker1871) February 27, 2024

Genuinely question what the point is in supporting a club when you can’t properly enjoy any wins or upturns in form because you know deep down that at least some of the points will be coming off. 18 gone in three seasons, six for three straight. Farcical and miserable. #readingfc

— George Flood (@GeorgeFlood24) February 27, 2024