CONFIMRED - The final countdown

[WestYorksRoyal]

I'm afraid you're deluding yourself.

It’s the FL’s competition with a set of rules by which clubs must abide in order to compete. Reading’s owner has breached those rules time and again and has now failed the most important test. The FL will have to act in accordance with those rules in order to maintain the integrity of their competition and also it’s because what other clubs would expect. Their decision does not and will not have to be ratified by a public or government enquiry, something which would more than likely be very concerning to UEFA and FIFA if it were.

As a supporter of football I would wholeheartedly support the FL in their action to kick out bad owners and their clubs. The only good thing is that Dai has a bit more time than most because the end of the season is nigh and Reading are lucky that the FL are actually being quite amenable and helpful as they do not really want any member club to go under. There’s many Reading fans that have been calling on the FL to force “matey” into this position a lot sooner, at least now they’ve done it with the season end looming and one way or another we’ll have a club with a “new vision” next season.

We now all await Dai’s final move so this whole sorry mess (that I presume everyone everywhere is now more than quite fed up with) can finally be laid to rest.

I would say that the EFL must have considered the legality of the consequences of disqualifying an owner, or there really isn't any point in them doing it. If a club was sold to an owner who failed the tests to be a qualified owner, they would be in the same boat. The only real challenge is whether the disqualification was unjust, and there's no indication that is being contested.

The awkward thing is what happens after being kicked out, as it's not the same as the club going bust. In theory we could join the National League. We don't have to start at the bottom. That's one 'advantage' of being kicked out before the members of each division for 25/26 has been settled.

What Dai would choose to do is another matter. It could be the trigger to make him give up, or he could choose to keep the club limping along to get his rent money.

If a compromise were in principle available and entering the pyramid at Conference or Conference South level, surely no agreement would be reached with Dai at the helm? And he wouldn’t be able to sell it.

So thinking creatively, could an alternative Reading FC backed by Smee and STAR take its place?

[Sutekh]

It’s the FL’s competition with a set of rules by which clubs must abide in order to compete. Reading’s owner has breached those rules time and again and has now failed the most important test. The FL will have to act in accordance with those rules in order to maintain the integrity of their competition and also it’s because what other clubs would expect. Their decision does not and will not have to be ratified by a public or government enquiry, something which would more than likely be very concerning to UEFA and FIFA if it were.

As a supporter of football I would wholeheartedly support the FL in their action to kick out bad owners and their clubs. The only good thing is that Dai has a bit more time than most because the end of the season is nigh and Reading are lucky that the FL are actually being quite amenable and helpful as they do not really want any member club to go under. There’s many Reading fans that have been calling on the FL to force “matey” into this position a lot sooner, at least now they’ve done it with the season end looming and one way or another we’ll have a club with a “new vision” next season.

We now all await Dai’s final move so this whole sorry mess (that I presume everyone everywhere is now more than quite fed up with) can finally be laid to rest.

I would say that the EFL must have considered the legality of the consequences of disqualifying an owner, or there really isn't any point in them doing it. If a club was sold to an owner who failed the tests to be a qualified owner, they would be in the same boat. The only real challenge is whether the disqualification was unjust, and there's no indication that is being contested.

The awkward thing is what happens after being kicked out, as it's not the same as the club going bust. In theory we could join the National League. We don't have to start at the bottom. That's one 'advantage' of being kicked out before the members of each division for 25/26 has been settled.

What Dai would choose to do is another matter. It could be the trigger to make him give up, or he could choose to keep the club limping along to get his rent money.

If a compromise were in principle available and entering the pyramid at Conference or Conference South level, surely no agreement would be reached with Dai at the helm? And he wouldn’t be able to sell it.

So thinking creatively, could an alternative Reading FC backed by Smee and STAR take its place?

In the non league world, as far as I am aware, there are no qualifications on ownership so anyone can own a club and do what they want with it so long as they’re within competition rules. The NL league need to change this and apply restrictions to fall in line with the FL. Therefore Dai could try taking the club down to whichever league level would accept the club and carry on trying to sell it for whatever idiot amount he thinks. Perhaps the FA/FL could apply pressure so that isn’t an option.

Not sure about the FL accepting a new Reading club in place of the old, my guess is that would have to be voted on by the other member clubs at the summer AGM, if the FL were willing, and I imagine those clubs wouldn’t be quite so amenable.

[Royal_jimmy]

I would say that the EFL must have considered the legality of the consequences of disqualifying an owner, or there really isn't any point in them doing it. If a club was sold to an owner who failed the tests to be a qualified owner, they would be in the same boat. The only real challenge is whether the disqualification was unjust, and there's no indication that is being contested.

The awkward thing is what happens after being kicked out, as it's not the same as the club going bust. In theory we could join the National League. We don't have to start at the bottom. That's one 'advantage' of being kicked out before the members of each division for 25/26 has been settled.

What Dai would choose to do is another matter. It could be the trigger to make him give up, or he could choose to keep the club limping along to get his rent money.

If a compromise were in principle available and entering the pyramid at Conference or Conference South level, surely no agreement would be reached with Dai at the helm? And he wouldn’t be able to sell it.

So thinking creatively, could an alternative Reading FC backed by Smee and STAR take its place?

In the non league world, as far as I am aware, there are no qualifications on ownership so anyone can own a club and do what they want with it so long as they’re within competition rules. The NL league need to change this and apply restrictions to fall in line with the FL. Therefore Dai could try taking the club down to whichever league level would accept the club and carry on trying to sell it for whatever idiot amount he thinks. Perhaps the FA/FL could apply pressure so that isn’t an option.

Not sure about the FL accepting a new Reading club in place of the old, my guess is that would have to be voted on by the other member clubs at the summer AGM, if the FL were willing, and I imagine those clubs wouldn’t be quite so amenable.

But if supposedly we joined the national league and won promotion couldn't the EFL technically block that because of Dai already being disqualified?

[WestYorksRoyal]

If a compromise were in principle available and entering the pyramid at Conference or Conference South level, surely no agreement would be reached with Dai at the helm? And he wouldn’t be able to sell it.

So thinking creatively, could an alternative Reading FC backed by Smee and STAR take its place?

In the non league world, as far as I am aware, there are no qualifications on ownership so anyone can own a club and do what they want with it so long as they’re within competition rules. The NL league need to change this and apply restrictions to fall in line with the FL. Therefore Dai could try taking the club down to whichever league level would accept the club and carry on trying to sell it for whatever idiot amount he thinks. Perhaps the FA/FL could apply pressure so that isn’t an option.

Not sure about the FL accepting a new Reading club in place of the old, my guess is that would have to be voted on by the other member clubs at the summer AGM, if the FL were willing, and I imagine those clubs wouldn’t be quite so amenable.

But if supposedly we joined the national league and won promotion. Couldn't the EFL technically block that because of Dai already being disqualified?

Yes. They blocked Gateshead from competing in the play offs last year due to their stadium not being up to required specifications. It was a disgrace of a decision that barely made a ripple higher up the pyramid.

[PieEater]

What about the owner of Fleetwood, wasn't he in jail when we played them last year?

I also wonder about Platek, if I were him my offer - if there ever was one - would now be a lot lower than it was before the revelation of the clock on Dai's tenancy.

[Snowflake Royal]

The FL have pulled every lever they can. Dai has had two years to sell. He's been in exclusivity with 4 or 5 parties. He's had a deal complete and waiting for his signature and binned it. He's ignored fines. They could have used more sporting sanctions rather than fining Dai personally.

It's really simple, you can't play in the league if you're owned by someone banned from the competition. Don't enforce this and you can just throw the O&DT in the bin completely. From the FL perspective, it's reached the point where getting rid of us is less damage than keeping us.

The FL can't make Dai sell. It is all Dai. The FL's responsibility is to the competition as a whole, and it's member clubs as a whole, not ignoring the mess of one rogue owner for one club's fans and staff.

Orien's post is like trying to tell the CPS they can't prosecute someone for a crime because it will affect their family and employees.

To be honest that’s a poor analogy.
Certainly family circumstances can be taken into account when sentencing. Wouldn’t be part of a decision to prosecute, but we’re not at that stage anyway,

I'd say fans, players and the community are the victims of Dai's ownership and the law normally takes the impact upon victims pretty seriously.

He's not being barred for his ownership, he's being barred for failing the annual O&DT.

[windermereROYAL]

Somebody ITK surely has to let us know, do we have 13 or 41 days left on life support?

Appears to be 41 days as Dai not selling by 4th April triggers a 30 day "warning" to 4th May - after that RFC will be disqualified from any football related activities with Dai at the helm.

According to the Telegraph we`ve got until April 5th when we tip into uncharted territory.

[tmesis]

I would say that the EFL must have considered the legality of the consequences of disqualifying an owner, or there really isn't any point in them doing it. If a club was sold to an owner who failed the tests to be a qualified owner, they would be in the same boat. The only real challenge is whether the disqualification was unjust, and there's no indication that is being contested.

The awkward thing is what happens after being kicked out, as it's not the same as the club going bust. In theory we could join the National League. We don't have to start at the bottom. That's one 'advantage' of being kicked out before the members of each division for 25/26 has been settled.

What Dai would choose to do is another matter. It could be the trigger to make him give up, or he could choose to keep the club limping along to get his rent money.

If a compromise were in principle available and entering the pyramid at Conference or Conference South level, surely no agreement would be reached with Dai at the helm? And he wouldn’t be able to sell it.

So thinking creatively, could an alternative Reading FC backed by Smee and STAR take its place?

In the non league world, as far as I am aware, there are no qualifications on ownership so anyone can own a club and do what they want with it so long as they’re within competition rules. The NL league need to change this and apply restrictions to fall in line with the FL. Therefore Dai could try taking the club down to whichever league level would accept the club and carry on trying to sell it for whatever idiot amount he thinks. Perhaps the FA/FL could apply pressure so that isn’t an option.

A lot would depend on the attitude of those leagues. Unlike when a team gets relegated, they'd be under no obligation to accept an expelled club. I can see a few club chairman thinking a Reading home game would bring in a lot of money. What Dai would do is unknown, but you'd think it would be hard to sustain a club without fan backing, and I think being kicked out would be the final straw for loads.

Not sure about the FL accepting a new Reading club in place of the old, my guess is that would have to be voted on by the other member clubs at the summer AGM, if the FL were willing, and I imagine those clubs wouldn’t be quite so amenable.

To me, that's a complete non-starter. Not just because it would be unprecedented, and probably open the EFL up to legal challenges, but also I can't seeing them accepting a brand new club, with no players, no staff, and no ground, into the league.

[Carnabyswhiskers]

In the non league world, as far as I am aware, there are no qualifications on ownership so anyone can own a club and do what they want with it so long as they’re within competition rules. The NL league need to change this and apply restrictions to fall in line with the FL. Therefore Dai could try taking the club down to whichever league level would accept the club and carry on trying to sell it for whatever idiot amount he thinks. Perhaps the FA/FL could apply pressure so that isn’t an option.

Not sure about the FL accepting a new Reading club in place of the old, my guess is that would have to be voted on by the other member clubs at the summer AGM, if the FL were willing, and I imagine those clubs wouldn’t be quite so amenable.

But if supposedly we joined the national league and won promotion. Couldn't the EFL technically block that because of Dai already being disqualified?

Yes. They blocked Gateshead from competing in the play offs last year due to their stadium not being up to required specifications. It was a disgrace of a decision that barely made a ripple higher up the pyramid.

Partly true: they were blocked, but the issue was not the quality of the stadium but the absence of guarantees from the local council - which owns it - that the club could continue to use it. Since then, Gateshead Council has given the club a written 10 year guarantee. Not that they will be needing it this year: I was there yesterday to see their 0-2 defeat to Tamworth. Hardly helped by a shocking pitch, the standard was dire. I have seen a fair amount of National League football recently and this was the first time I have been anything other than impressed with the quality of it.

[Crusader Royal]

Having an ‘owners’ test in non league would be impossible given many clubs don’t have an ‘owner’.
How the FL will deal with a genuine fan owned club with this test will be interesting. Presumably it only applies to someone with a personal controlling interest ?

[WestYorksRoyal]

Having an ‘owners’ test in non league would be impossible given many clubs don’t have an ‘owner’.
How the FL will deal with a genuine fan owned club with this test will be interesting. Presumably it only applies to someone with a personal controlling interest ?

National League, including it's North/ South tier, is quite a high standard now. I'd say that's the level you implement something, and clubs getting promoted in need to clear the bar off the pitch too.

And Exeter are fan owned and pass the test in EFL already. I would presume the test would be proving business plan and governance to show the fan trust is suitable. I think a fan owned phoenix club would find it harder to compete than AFC Wimbledon did and similarly Exeter at their low point (not a phoenix but had to rebuild from penniless). There’s a lot of non League wealth now and no real controls or limits.

If we are to go down the phoenix route, we should hope for better governance at that level so that our size would give us a natural advantage and we don't get financially outgunned by some ego trip to take Truro to the Championship.

[blythspartan]

I think we’ll be saved tbh. Hopefully by Platek, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Couhig ends up owning us.

If not, at least this oxf*rd nightmare will be over and I will look forward to visiting some new grounds with the Phoenix club.

[stealthpapes]

Somebody ITK surely has to let us know, do we have 13 or 41 days left on life support?

Appears to be 41 days as Dai not selling by 4th April triggers a 30 day "warning" to 4th May - after that RFC will be disqualified from any football related activities with Dai at the helm.

According to the Telegraph we`ve got until April 5th when we tip into uncharted territory.

EFL statement

Following its disclosure in open court earlier today, the League can confirm that Mr Yongge has been recently disqualified under the EFL’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test.

The disqualification requires Mr Yongge to divest his interests in the Club, and in the event that he fails to do so within the agreed timeframe, the League will consider all options available within its regulations to bring the matter to a conclusion.

The League continues to work closely with Reading FC to progress a sale of the Club at the earliest opportunity, in order to end the current uncertainty surrounding its future for its staff, supporters and wider community.

And the EFL reg. is

"within 28 days of receipt of written notice given in accordance with paragraph 5.1, require the Director to resign as a Director and/or take such other steps as are necessary in all the circumstances to ensure that they no longer come within the definition of Director"

That really reads like early April is the deadline to me, the clock has been ticking since he got informed on the disqualification.

[Crusader Royal]

Having an ‘owners’ test in non league would be impossible given many clubs don’t have an ‘owner’.
How the FL will deal with a genuine fan owned club with this test will be interesting. Presumably it only applies to someone with a personal controlling interest ?

National League, including it's North/ South tier, is quite a high standard now. I'd say that's the level you implement something, and clubs getting promoted in need to clear the bar off the pitch too.

And Exeter are fan owned and pass the test in EFL already. I would presume the test would be proving business plan and governance to show the fan trust is suitable. I think a fan owned phoenix club would find it harder to compete than AFC Wimbledon did and similarly Exeter at their low point (not a phoenix but had to rebuild from penniless). There’s a lot of non League wealth now and no real controls or limits.

If we are to go down the phoenix route, we should hope for better governance at that level so that our size would give us a natural advantage and we don't get financially outgunned by some ego trip to take Truro to the Championship.

Implementing an owner test at Nationall League level would be impossible. There are many ownership’ models and some clubs have no owners at all !

[WestYorksRoyal]

Having an ‘owners’ test in non league would be impossible given many clubs don’t have an ‘owner’.
How the FL will deal with a genuine fan owned club with this test will be interesting. Presumably it only applies to someone with a personal controlling interest ?

National League, including it's North/ South tier, is quite a high standard now. I'd say that's the level you implement something, and clubs getting promoted in need to clear the bar off the pitch too.

And Exeter are fan owned and pass the test in EFL already. I would presume the test would be proving business plan and governance to show the fan trust is suitable. I think a fan owned phoenix club would find it harder to compete than AFC Wimbledon did and similarly Exeter at their low point (not a phoenix but had to rebuild from penniless). There’s a lot of non League wealth now and no real controls or limits.

If we are to go down the phoenix route, we should hope for better governance at that level so that our size would give us a natural advantage and we don't get financially outgunned by some ego trip to take Truro to the Championship.

Implementing an owner test at Nationall League level would be impossible. There are many ownership’ models and some clubs have no owners at all !

Fan ownership is still an owner. No club has no owner at all. Who is making the decisions to find a pitch and some players?

FA requirement is that to enter the pyramid at the very bottom you need a club secretary. So that is a formal position to start off with, and that secretary will have been appointed by someone. Then as you climb higher, you expect some sort of Board or Trust. These people might all be volunteers or part time, but they all constitute a form of governance that represents ownership. And if you can't provide that clear picture of who actually owns the club, you would fail.

[tmesis]

I think a fan owned phoenix club would find it harder to compete than AFC Wimbledon did and similarly Exeter at their low point (not a phoenix but had to rebuild from penniless). There’s a lot of non League wealth now and no real controls or limits.

If we are to go down the phoenix route, we should hope for better governance at that level so that our size would give us a natural advantage and we don't get financially outgunned by some ego trip to take Truro to the Championship.

Wimbledon were fortunate in having a nearby ground to play in. We would have to go to Maidenhead to find anything remotely similar. There's no remotely adequate alternative ground.

When clubs lose their ground it's much harder to recover.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Am I right in thinking Couhig only has security over Bearwood and the Stadium? So Dai could sell the club to Platek now and kick the can down on the road on the real estate assets until the court case in June has occurred?

[andrew1957]

So either our last ever game is Blackpool Away. Bit of an odd place to end 150+ years of history, or we limp on to May 3rd and there will be the biggest ever party on the pitch to mark the end. All with anti EFL banners. Or more unlikely Dai sells in the next few days. What a mess!!

[windermereROYAL]

So either our last ever game is Blackpool Away. Bit of an odd place to end 150+ years of history, or we limp on to May 3rd and there will be the biggest ever party on the pitch to mark the end. All with anti EFL banners. Or more unlikely Dai sells in the next few days. What a mess!!

I can`t believe they`ll chuck us out before the end of the season, anyway the EFL meeting isn`t scheduled until the end of April.
And there`s not a chance in hell of the Barnsley game finishing if we`re not in the running for the play-offs and Dai hasn`t sold.

[Sutekh]

So either our last ever game is Blackpool Away. Bit of an odd place to end 150+ years of history, or we limp on to May 3rd and there will be the biggest ever party on the pitch to mark the end. All with anti EFL banners. Or more unlikely Dai sells in the next few days. What a mess!!

I can`t believe they`ll chuck us out before the end of the season, anyway the EFL meeting isn`t scheduled until the end of April.
And there`s not a chance in hell of the Barnsley game finishing if we`re not in the running for the play-offs and Dai hasn`t sold.

Reading will be allowed to complete the season. What happens thereafter is all down to Dai’s final decision as owner.