Reading owner Dai Yongge has been charged by the English Football League for bringing the club 'into disrepute.'

The Chinese businessman has taken Reading from the brink of the Premier League to the brink of League Two in seven years, with supporters protesting against him since the summer.

After paying wages late on more than three occasions in 2023, Yongge was asked to deposit 125 per cent of the wage bill into an allotted account to prove his long-term interest in running the club.

Not doing so on two occasions, his fine has been upped to £80,000 and an independent panel will decide on any further punishments.

A charge remains outstanding for owing HMRC too much this season, with a punishment still yet to be decided.

"The owner of the Club, Mr Dai Yongge, has today been charged with misconduct for his repeated failures to deposit an amount equal to 125% of the Club’s forecast monthly wage bill in a designated bank account," an EFL statement read.

"Mr Dai did not meet this month’s deadline, meaning he has been in default for nearly four months and remains in breach of both the first decision (August 2023) and second decision (December 2023) as ordered by the independent Disciplinary Commission. 

"He has also been charged with bringing the Club and/or League into disrepute as a result of his actions.  

"Both charges have been referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission."

Reading have received a suspended three-point deduction for getting their last home match abandoned as thousands of supporters invaded the pitch against Port Vale.