Reading fan group ‘Sell Before We Dai’ are set to protest against owner Dai Yongge at Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Eastleigh following news that staff have not been paid on time this month.
The news broke on Thursday after CEO Dayong Pang sent out emails to staff explaining that funds had not been delivered in time to satisfy payroll and that all playing staff needed to be paid to avoid a second point deduction of the season.
Causing uproar among supporters, many of which will have friends or family working for the club, supporters have decided to take action in front of the ITV cameras for Sunday’s FA Cup trip.
“We are disgusted, but not surprised,” said Sell Before We Dai spokesperson Nick Houlton, “to hear that Reading Football Club’s staff have not been paid in full for November – less than a month before Christmas.”
“This is always an expensive time, but with the cost-of-living crisis in mind, it’s especially heinous that a billionaire has chosen not to pay his employees properly.” This is the latest example of carelessness from a man who will be remembered as one of the worst owners in English Football League history.
“Employees at the club continue to go through unimaginable levels of stress. They were paid late on three occasions last season, including in November 2022. Wondering whether they will be paid or not at the end of each month has become the norm.
“Bills must be paid and food must be put on the table. At the end of one of the worst years in the club’s history, employees deserve to enjoy their Christmas. Our hard-working staff should never have to worry about whether they can afford presents for their friends and families. This is the second year in a row that Dai Yongge has chosen to sabotage Christmas for the staff and his behaviour is beyond contempt.
“Not only is Dai Yongge affecting matters off the pitch, he’s also putting the club at risk on it, with November’s HMRC charge potentially set to lead to more sanctions.
“We took two steps forward with wins against Wycombe Wanderers and Carlisle United in the past week, but Dai Yongge has taken us backwards again. He’s undermined the efforts of his hard-working employees again.
“He may reportedly be close to agreeing an exclusivity deal for a takeover, but his continuous rule-breaking and this latest misdemeanour are unforgivable. He deserves to be thrust into the spotlight once more, on national television, when we play Eastleigh on Sunday afternoon.
“Just pay the staff, pay the taxman and get out of our club now.”
“The demonstration this weekend has begun. Dai Yongge has balls.”
More than 1,400 Royals will go to Silverlake Stadium for the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
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