Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has praised the English Football League for their stance on Dai Yongge- threatening him with disqualification- however admitted that the governing body have little more they can do to help.

The EFL attempted to disqualify the Chinese businessman before Christmas for failing to pay staff on multiple occasions, but an independent panel felt this was too harsh and issued a fine- which remains unpaid.

Having spoken to EFL CEO Trevor Birch, it has been confirmed that the body have no power to force a sale of a football club, but are encouraging this action.

Speaking about the club on the award-winning Price of Football podcast, Maguire has praised the board but admits that the power remains in the hands of Yongge- who sees the Royals as 'an irrelevance.'

The sentiment is there," the football finance lecturer said. "We talk to the EFL and have a good working relationship with them- we’re not giving them an easy ride- but it’s a very similar position with their negotiations with the Premier League, the Premier League holds all the cards.

"In the case of Reading Football Club, like it or not, Dai Yongge has ignored polite requests from the EFL and fans. Ignored more angst from the fans in terms of tennis balls, and I suspect he will choose to ignore this because he’s properly sat in one of his mansions, of which he has many dotted around the world. The existence and stresses that Reading fans are going through are an irrelevance to him."