Reading FC’s crisis-hit ownership saga has taken a dramatic new turn with the threat of expulsion from the English Football League now looming large if current owner Dai Yongge fails to sell the club by 4 May.
The Chinese businessman has been officially disqualified under the EFL’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test — a development revealed during a recent commercial court hearing in London. Yongge had sought legal action against former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig, claiming he was obstructing the club’s sale by refusing to release securities, but the court refused his request for a mandatory injunction.
This legal defeat has significant consequences. The EFL has now confirmed that Yongge must divest his ownership of Reading FC by 4 April. If he fails to do so — either by agreeing to place £12 million in escrow or finalising a sale — he will be formally disqualified, triggering a 30-day grace period. If no sale is completed by 4 May, Reading could be expelled from the Football League altogether.
Two Deadlines, One Outcome
For fans, the scenario is complex but stark. The first key date is 4 April. If Yongge deposits funds into escrow, a sale could proceed swiftly. If not, his disqualification will take effect immediately. That will begin a 30-day window — ending 4 May — in which the club must be sold or face expulsion.
The EFL said in a statement:
“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.”
While the prospect of league removal is alarming, the Supporters Trust at Reading (STAR) believes this development could finally break the cycle of inertia that has paralysed the club’s fortunes in recent years.
“While the legal action continues, Mr Justice Jacobs made it clear that the club can be sold and outlined a clear route to sale… We are hopeful this deadline adds some much needed urgency to our plight and take the EFL at their word that they are doing everything in their power to accelerate a sale.”
Reading most recently entered a period of exclusivity with American investor Robert Platek, though concerns remain about regulatory conflict due to his existing financial ties within the EFL. Previous efforts to sell to Couhig also collapsed, culminating in this latest legal clash.
In the background, fans, staff, and the local community are left in limbo once more. The Royals have been beset by instability for years — late wages, points deductions, and repeated relegation scraps have left morale at a historic low.
Site Opinion
The threat of EFL expulsion is no longer theoretical — it’s an official countdown. For Reading FC, this isn’t just about ownership, it’s about survival. Fans have grown tired of empty promises and delayed decisions. Yongge’s disqualification must be the moment where talk turns into action. The club needs a credible buyer, financial stability, and most importantly, leadership that respects its legacy. If that doesn’t arrive before 4 May, Reading FC could lose its place in the Football League — and with it, a piece of English football history.
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