Reading FC receive suspended points deduction over protest
The EFL say the team will lose three-points if there's any further games abandoned or called off
Reading football club has been given a three point suspended points deduction after their match against Port Vale was suspended earlier this month.
Fans entered the pitch on 16 minutes and stayed there protesting over the ownership of Dai Yongge.
The game was eventually abandoned leading to days of national and international headlines raising the profile of the fans' protest.
The EFL has also ordered the Port vale game to be replayed in full on Tuesday 20 Feb with an 8pm kick off.
In a separate matter the EFL said Dai Yongge has been charged with misconduct again over failing to place funds in a deposit account as they ordered him to.
The club say they are also facing further disciplinary action from the FA.
A RFC spokesperson said:
"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."
The EFL statement in full:
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.
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.