Sell Before We Dai claims there is still time for Reading owner Dai Yongge and CEO Dayong Pang to ‘get off the naughty list’ this Christmas.
The campaign group calling on Reading owner Dai Yongge to sell the club has added a holiday twist to their latest high-profile action.
Sell Before We Dai deployed an advertising van across London on Friday, stopping at the homes of both Dai and CEO Dayong Pang, as well as one of EFL’s main offices in Paddington, to see those on their “naughty list”.
One banner said: “All I want for Christmas… (Reading FC edition): An independent regulator, a governing body that can remove harmful ownership, no more transfer embargoes.”
Outside Dayong’s house, another placard reads “Liars or incompetent?” Or both?” the campaigners wrote on X. “We met him in December of last year.” Since then, he has been rarely seen, so we decided to pay him a visit! He is currently overseeing the collapse of the club we adore.”
Reading fans highlighted Morecambe and Swindon Town’s “ownership issues” when the truck stopped near the Houses of Parliament.
The organization previously utilized a van to raise awareness about the larger issues surrounding football ownership in March, when The i Paper covered the demonstration outside Wembley Stadium in the lead-up to England’s match against Belgium.
Reading has been docked 18 points during Dai’s leadership, with fans repeatedly asking the Chinese millionaire to sell – hurling tennis balls onto the ground in 2023 and then assaulting the pitch personally in January, resulting in the cancellation of their match against Port Vale.
Reading’s owners claim to be actively looking for a buyer, but an approach from former striker Roger Smee was turned down earlier this month.
It was the latest blow for Reading fans desperate to rescue their club, as campaigners flocked to the streets once more in an appeal to ensure this is not their “last Christmas”.
“All Reading fans want for Christmas is for their football club to survive through a sale,” Sell Before We Dai spokesman Becky Trotman said.
“This requires an owner to act in good faith, and a CEO to perform competently and transparently. With reports stating that Dai Yongge and Dayong Pang have not been seen at Reading FC in months, we decided to deliver this message to their homes.
“Though Reading FC’s slide under Dai is more appropriate for Halloween, Christmas is a time for those who have made mistakes to see the error of their ways. If Dai and Pang can sell the club without losing any of its soul, they can still get off the naughty list.
“Unfortunately, more than 400 days of non-sale, dishonest communications and discount player sales means our wish list is likely wishful thinking.
“As a result, we’re taking our message to the Houses of Parliament and wider authorities, imploring them to help us force an exit. Football clubs are for life – we cannot allow this to be Reading’s last Christmas.”
Former Wycombe owner Rob Couhig also had a deal for the club fall through earlier this season.
Couhig had even met with fans with talks seemingly progressing well, only for the bid to break down in September.
“Unfortunately, more than 400 days of non-sale, dishonest communications and discount player sales means our wish list is likely wishful thinking.
“As a result, we’re bringing our message to the Houses of Parliament and other authorities, pleading with them to assist us force an exit. Football clubs are for life; we cannot let this be Reading’s last Christmas.
Rob Couhig, the former Wycombe owner, also saw an offer for the club fall through earlier this season.
Couhig had even visited with supporters, and things appeared to be going well until September, when the deal fell through.
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