One of the town’s MPs is pushing for the reform of ownership rules of football clubs amid the leadership chaos at Reading FC.
Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East has joined football fans to call for the new ownership of the club, as current owner Chinese businessman Dai Yonnge faces financial penalties.
In recent developments, Reading FC has been referred to an Independent disciplinary commission (IDC) for continued non-payment of monies owed to His Majesty’s Revenues and Customs.
This could lead to the club being punished and sanctioned by the English Football League (EFL).
Reacting to this news, Mr Rodda said: “I am very concerned that once again Reading Football Club and Reading fans may be penalised by the EFL’s disciplinary process for the owner’s financial management of the club and I would ask the panel to consider the unusual situation facing the club.
“The ongoing issues at Reading clearly show the importance of introducing a new regulator for football and I am calling on the Government to include a Bill to improve regulation of the game in the King’s Speech this week.”
King Charles III will make his speech on Tuesday, November 7 in an address in Parliament where the legislative agenda of the government for the next year will be introduced.
Mr Rodda has joined a push for a government law introduced in a White Paper which would introduce an independent regulator to make sure that football clubs and their owners are financially resilient.
He is set to speak in a debate over football ownership which will take place on Wednesday, November 8.
Mr Rodda said: “I am pleased that the Speaker has granted me a debate on the very difficult situation and Reading FC and the wider issues around football regulation.
“I want to use this debate to call on the sports minister to see what he can do to help Reading Football Club and to urge the Government to introduce a new football regulator.”
Lucy Frazer, the Conservative MP for South East Cambridgeshire is the current sports minister.
Along with football supporters from the Sell Before We Dai campaign, who are calling for a change in Reading FC’s ownership, Mr Rodda met with Stephanie Peacock, the shadow minister for sport, to encourage reform of club ownership rules.
This week I joined the @SellBeforeWeDai campaign to raise the problems with @ReadingFC ownership and football regulation with the Shadow Sports Minister, @Steph_Peacock . She believes Reading FC's situation shows that a new independent football regulator is needed urgently. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/QNs1K1xNZs
— Matt Rodda (@MattRodda) November 3, 2023
Stephanie Peacock, the Labour MP for Barnsley said: “My heart goes out to all the fans at this is incredibly concerning time for the club, the fans and the town.
“I think the message is very clear for the government ahead of the King’s Speech is to bring forward the football White Paper and Labour will support it and it’s a really clear example of why we need a football regulator.”
If Labour wins the next election, she stands to become the Minister for Media, Gambling and Sport.
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