EFL Statement: Reading FC and Mr Dai Yongge

• Club issued with immediate two-point deduction for late payment of liabilities
• Owner Mr Dai Yongge fined six figures for non-compliance
• EFL calls on Mr Dai to adequately fund Club or sell shareholding

An independent Disciplinary Commission (IDC) has determined that Reading Football Club are to be deducted two points from the 2023/24 League One table with a further two points suspended after the Club failed to meet HMRC payment obligations in accordance with EFL Regulations.

The sporting sanction will be applied immediately resulting in the Club being deducted a total of six points in the current season, having received a one-point penalty in August 2023, before a further three points were removed in September 2023.

The suspended points deduction will be activated in the event the Club fails to pay amounts owed to HMRC, other Clubs or any other football creditor claims by the required due dates up until the end of the 2023/24 season.

Following separate charges being issued, the Club’s owner, Mr Dai Yongge, has been fined £100,000 for his repeated failures to deposit an amount equal to 125% of the Club’s forecast monthly wage bill in a designated account. He is required to pay the fine by 18 March 2024.

If Mr Dai fails to comply with the prior order of the IDC to meet the deposit requirement within 28 days a further suspended fine of £100,000 will be activated and an additional fine of £100,000 will be imposed if the money is not received within five weeks.

The EFL notes the written reasons issued by the Commission who have again opted not to disqualify Mr Dai because of the potential adverse consequences for the Club. However, as the League has previously stated, Mr Dai has demonstrated an unwillingness to support the Club’s current financial commitments, in contrast to his approach following the change of control in 2017. That is creating significant uncertainty, and the current impasse has to be broken.

Therefore, the League urges Mr Dai to provide his Club with the appropriate resources needed while at the same time accelerating his efforts to sell his majority shareholding to new owners, so that everyone associated with Reading FC, including staff, supporters and the local community, can move on and prepare for a positive future.

The IDC’s Decision and written reasons are available to view on EFL.com.

WADA confirms non-compliance of five Anti-Doping Organizations

The World Anti-Doping Agency confirms that, effective immediately, a total of five Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) have been declared non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code).

WADA Compliance Review Committee discusses new cases of Signatory non-compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code

On 19-20 October, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) met in-person, for its third and final regular meeting this year, to discuss a range of important issues related to WADA’s World Anti-Doping Code (Code) Compliance Monitoring Program. 

The CRC Chair, Henry Gourdji, who was accompanied by CRC members and WADA Management in Montreal, led discussions on the following matters: 

• New cases of Signatory non-compliance with the Code and International Standards involving legislation, the Code Compliance Questionnaire (CCQ), and audit and non-respect of Signatory consequences cases. The cases will be presented to WADA’s Executive Committee on 16 November if the non-conformities discussed by the CRC are still not resolved; 
• The latest update on the reinstatement conditions imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in its award related to the case between WADA and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency; 
• An update on: 
  • Current non-compliant Signatories, including the National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Gabon, and the International Federation of Fitness and Bodybuilding; 
  • Signatories currently on the ’watchlist‘, including the NADOs of Algeria, Angola, Bermuda, Ecuador, Mongolia, Morocco and the Philippines; 
  • Signatories whose cases will be referred to the CAS, namely the NADOs of Russia (in relation to additional consequences and conditions of reinstatement) and South Africa. 
• An update on the operations of Ukraine’s NADO and testing of Ukraine athletes. The Ukraine NADO has a suspended compliance case due to force majeure in relation to the ongoing Russian Federation invasion of Ukraine; 
• The latest on the amendments to the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories following stakeholder consultation process initiated in June 2023; 
• An update on the development and implementation of WADA’s Compliance Monitoring Program, including an update on anti-doping rules and legislation review, the CCQ, and WADA’s Signatory audit program. In addition, the CRC reviewed WADA’s progress on its Compliance Annual Plan and approved WADA’s Signatory Audit Plan for 2024. 

The CRC also held an in-camera session on 18 October to prepare, review and discuss documentation received. 

WADA and the CRC also took the opportunity to express their appreciation to Penny Heyns, who currently fills the athlete member seat of the CRC. Her term concludes at the end of 2023. 

The CRC is responsible for providing independent advice, guidance and recommendations to WADA Management and governing bodies on matters relating to Signatories' compliance with the Code.  

Mr. Gourdji will report to the next Executive Committee meeting on 16 November and the Foundation Board on 17 November.