Reading fans want owner Dai Yunge to leave
Crisis-hit Reading were left fearing further “severe sanctions” after their match was postponed due to a pitch invasion by fans taking out their anger on the owner Dai Junge.
Protesting fans refused to leave the field for more than an hour, rushing onto the pitch in the 16th minute to stop the League One match against Port Vale.
Fans are furious with Chinese businessman Dai, who has seen the club repeatedly stripped of points by the English Football League for financial irregularities. Yonge, already fined £20,000 last month for failing to pay required wages, faces further charges after he failed to deposit enough money into the account again last week. Initially, a liquidation order was served in October due to non-payment of taxes.
Reading were anxiously awaiting the English Football League's response on Saturday night after fans ignored warnings they faced further punishment. «Every effort was made to resume play, but it became increasingly clear that this was not possible,» the league said last night. «We will now discuss the implications of today's events with the clubs involved.»
More than 1,000 fans entered the pitch in the 16th minute — the total number of points Reading have been deducted in two years. Hundreds of tennis balls had previously been thrown onto the pitch and a blue flare was flashed shortly after kick-off.
“The club could face serious sanctions if the pitch is not cleared,” Reading warned in notices at the stadium, urging fans leave the field. But as protests continued for 70 minutes, officials eventually canceled the match.
This is what we had to come to. This is what Dai Yunge did to this club. #ReadingFC pic.twitter.com/KpCtDoMIIP
— Andy Preston (@AndyPreston96) January 13, 2024 
Readers let their feelings become known as they forced the abandonment of the match. Photo: Jason Dawson
As the dramatic scenes unfolded, some viewers expressed disappointment that the story was not widely covered by Sky Sports.
Geoff Stelling was among those criticizing the perceived lack of coverage by his former colleagues on Soccer Saturday. “When a club that has recently been in the PL is in the position it is in, it is, in my opinion, the biggest story of the day,” Stelling wrote on social media. “Why isn’t there a reporter there? Everyone knew there would be a protest!
The English Football League had previously recommended that Dye be suspended from all football activities for 12 months, but an independent disciplinary commission chose not to enforce this decision.
Protest group Sell Before We Dai warned before the match that a pitch invasion was possible. likely, although there have been suggestions that this could happen on an ongoing basis.
About 1,000 fans took to the pitch after they were urged to «rage against the mismanagement» of their club. Fans could also be heard chanting «Fuck the EFL». One of them held a banner that read: “Football has an ownership problem.”
Sell before we Dye later said it was «a dark day for Reading Football Club» and «we understand we will be punished.» from the EFL, but what we really need is help. Today there was an outpouring of emotion from fans not known for their hostility. We fear for the future of our football club and this threat could not be more real.»
The long-awaited takeover has yet to materialize despite former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley and investment group Genevra Associates based in Luxembourg, have expressed interest.
Reading fans want to see the back of owner Dai Reading Supporters want to see the back of owner Dai Junge 
Reading are currently in the League One relegation zone. Photo: Jason Dawson
Under tougher rules announced in July 2022 by the Premier League, English Football Association and Football Association, any fan trespassing on the pitch will be automatically disqualified and reported to the police.
In the past, authorities have taken such measures measures. an individual approach to pitch intrusions, although they have been a criminal offense for over 30 years. Under FA rules, clubs can face anything from a warning to stadium closure and a potential points deduction if they are found guilty of failing to take adequate action.
“We fully recognize and understand the disappointment of our fans,” Reading wrote on X. “But we must reiterate… that entering the field or throwing items onto the field may put the game at risk of abandonment and result in personal consequences.” including banning orders.”
It was the second League One match to be abandoned on Saturday. Bolton Wanderers' home game against Cheltenham Town has been canceled due to a medical emergency involving a fan. The game was stopped 0-0 in the 29th minute when medical staff were alerted and the players were removed from the field.
Following consultation between the two clubs and the match officials, it was decided that the match should stop at half the field. an hour later.
Bolton said in a statement: “A fan in the East Stand suffered a suspected cardiac arrest approximately 30 minutes into the game.”
“After ongoing attempts to revive the Sick, he was taken to the stadium's medical center. The fan was subsequently taken to hospital and Bolton Wanderers' thoughts are with him and his family.»
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