A fan-led protest movement who are against the current Reading owner in Dai Yongge have released a statement following the club’s imminent training ground sale to Wycombe Wanderers.
The Chinese billionaire, who purchased the Royals in May 2017, has stripped any form of funding away from the ex-Premier League side which has led to multiple winding-up petitions, late wages, missed tax payments and points deductions.
Now, with the imminent sale of the club’s state-of-the-art training ground to the Chairboys set to be confirmed, it means Reading are left once again facing monetary uncertainty.
For Wycombe, the upgrade will come as a massive coup from their Marlow Road Training Ground, which was only renovated two years ago.
Can confirm that a statement is expected to be made shortly. #Chairboys #ReadingFC
— James Richings (@James_BFP) March 14, 2024
Following the rumours, the Sell Before We Dai group have published the following statement expressing their worries that the club is ‘now firmly on life support’.
Caroline Parker, Sell Before We Dai spokesperson, said: "The news that Reading FC owner Dai Yongge, his sister and fellow owner Dai Xiu Li, and CEO Dayong Pang, are selling our training ground shows that they never intended to sell the club.
They’re intent on only one thing – killing Reading FC – a club with a proud 152-year history. This club is now firmly on life support.
"But if Yongge, Xiu Li and Pang are killing the club, then Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig is an accomplice. He might not have pulled the trigger, but he’s helping the owners to hide the body.
"Selling one of Reading’s key assets makes the club even less attractive to a new owner – and almost certainly scares off potential investors who were already having to contend with Yongge’s unpredictability, all while leaving more chaos for fans, players and staff to endure.
"But questions must be asked.
I've been told on good authority that the training ground news is 'pretty much true' and it's supposedly going to cost Wycombe 'half of what' Reading paid for it.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) March 14, 2024
Quite extraordinary considering Marlow Road had several renovations a couple of years ago. #Chairboys #ReadingFC
"To Yongge, Xiu Li and Pang – with a £1 million shortfall staring the club in the face, are they planning on using the funds to keep the club alive, or to run off with them to an off-shore tax haven, leaving Reading FC in an even more perilous situation?
"To Rick Parry and the EFL – who said ‘never again’ after Bury’s demise, but are walking by on the other side while our club is dying in front of them.
"It’s time for action.
Expecting a club statement at some point today. As I mentioned earlier, having done some asking around, all signs are pointing to this happening #readingfc
— James Earnshaw (@james_e1871) March 14, 2024
"We’re calling on all Reading fans to gather tomorrow night (Friday) at 6pm outside Adams Park for a peaceful protest – and we’d invite all Wycombe fans who don’t want their club to become known as the new MK Dons to stand with us – because football has an ownership problem.
"We know Reading fans are confused and worried. So are we. But one thing is clear: we will not give up in the fight for the future of our club."
A statement from both clubs is set to be released on March 14.
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