Fans of Reading FC aimed to return the attention of the football world to the perilous plight of their club today in a televised game at home to Birmingham City.
Five fans dressed as grim reapers appeared in the 18th minute. The number of grim reapers represents the fact that Reading have only five senior players contracted to the club beyond June 2025, while the timing symbolises the number of points deducted under owners Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li.
Reading have been up for sale for more than 500 days, with no party currently in exclusive talks for a takeover. Fans fear for the future of their club, with HMRC accounts for 2022/23 overdue since the end of June 2024, an ongoing transfer embargo, a squad of just five players this summer, and the distinct possibility of Reading being liquidated if the Dais don’t sell soon.
The stunt follows the launch of a petition yesterday, calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the club’s absent owners. Earley and Woodley MP Yuan Yang joined forces with fan groups Sell Before We Dai and Supporters Trust at Reading to launch the petition. They are asking the Culture, Media and Sport Committee and the Business and Trade Committee to launch an inquiry into the ownership and governance affairs of the club since 2012 on grounds of public interest.
A number of prospective buyers have unsuccessfully attempted to buy the club since 2023. Owner Dai Yongge remains in a legal dispute with former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig over the collapse of a takeover proposal last September.
