Reading FC’s property projects manager Nigel Howe, who is in charge of overseeing the takeover, is banned from all football activity starting from today (October 4).
Howe was tasked by current owner Dai Yongge to oversee a takeover of the club, but more than a year since it was put up for sale, the takeover saga continues to rumble on.
In April 2024, an independent regulatory commission imposed a £5,000 fine and a 12 month suspension on Howe for misconduct in relation to FA rules.
The ban saw the former Reading CEO banned from transfer related activity for six months, while the next six months were set to see him banned from all football activity.
However, after an appeal his ban was from all football activity was reduced to three months.
Howe’s ban will now expire on January 4, 2025.
Speaking to the media regarding an update on the takeover situation last month, Howe was questioned about his ban.
He said: “What I’m doing at the moment is making sure that all the senior management is properly briefed. Hopefully the quantum of documents put in place can purely be novated over and given to any new purchaser.”
Despite the understandable frustrations of the fans, Howe insisted that Dai is still committed to selling the club
“Through his employees, they’ve communicated that he (Mr Dai) wants to get on with a new transaction at the earliest opportunity but it’s got to go through the process.
“There is a level of cynicism that is attached to what I’ve been doing but I can’t do anything about that.”
