League One side Reading have been placed under a fresh transfer embargo, The Reading Chronicle understands.
The Royals have failed to pay HMRC on time once again, less than a month on from being served a winding-up petition for the same issue.
Due to pay the bill last week, the Berkshire club have failed to pay the ‘significant’ amount required, resulting in an embargo being placed on them by the EFL.
A court date was set for August 9th over the initial unpaid tax bill in June, which was eventually paid, however, it remains to be seen how this latest development will impact proceedings.
Since their relegation from the Championship this season, Reading have already been charged with multiple breaches of EFL Regulations.
Ownership issues
Charges remain outstanding against owner Yongge Dai, for causing the 151-year-old Football Club to be in breach of regulations, despite his commitment to fund cash requirements.
The latest saga continues the recent crisis at the club, which has resulted in fan movements such as ‘Sell Before We Dai’ being created and putting pressure on the club.
Impact on transfers
New boss Ruben Selles had hoped to add 10 signings ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, and despite four fresh faces through the door in recent weeks, the 40-year-old’s plans have been scuppered less than two weeks before the the start of the new League One season.
Reading won the race for highly-rated midfielder Charlie Savage, who arrived on a permanent deal from Manchester United, despite attracting the interest of multiple Championship clubs.
It appears the 20-year-old will now be the Royals’ last addition for some time, as the club faces a fight for its future.
Writer’s View
Just when Reading fans thought there could be an ounce of positivity ahead of the upcoming season, the reality comes crashing down on them again like a tonne of bricks. We’re two weeks away from League One kicking off, and here we are talking about legal issues off the pitch rather than the football.
It is another year in which League One will have a club enter with financial issues and a dark cloud hanging over them. The fans of Reading FC deserve better, and as Greg from Sell Before We Dai stated on The Real EFL Podcast: “This is an issue for all football fans, not just fans of Reading FC.”