Reading Football Club is currently grappling with a severe financial crisis, leading to protests from fans against the ownership of Dai Yongge. In a drastic move, Reading manager Ruben Selles and head of football operations Mark Bowen have voluntarily given up their wages to ensure that the staff at the struggling League One club receive their full pay.
The financial difficulties have already resulted in Reading being docked four points this season, leaving them second-bottom in League One. To avoid further points deductions, Reading prioritized paying their players, leaving staff with only 50 percent of their monthly wages.
In an extraordinary gesture, Selles and Bowen decided to forfeit their own salaries until the staff is paid in full. Bowen explained that there was insufficient funding to cover the full wages for the month, and the decision was made to prioritize player payments to avoid additional points deductions. He assured that the funds are expected to arrive, and the situation will be resolved by early next week.
The financial turmoil has triggered fan protests, with incidents during Reading’s recent FA Cup defeat to non-league side Eastleigh, where tennis balls and fake money were thrown onto the pitch. Selles criticized the decision to pay staff only partially, acknowledging the strategic necessity to prevent points deductions but expressing concern about the ethical aspect. He emphasized the need for the English Football League (EFL) to review its rules to prevent similar situations in the future and criticized the EFL for adversely impacting the workers of Reading Football Club.
The situation underscores the challenges faced by clubs in lower divisions and prompts discussions about potential reforms to ensure the financial stability of football clubs and protect the welfare of their staff.
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