"I don't think that is happening" - Club owner makes Reading FC takeover claim as EFL expulsion threat lurks | OneFootball

Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony has given his view on the current situation at Reading.

Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony does not believe that Reading will be kicked out of the EFL, despite the threat of explusion hanging over the club if a takeover is not completed by next month's deadline.

It has been a nightmare few years for Reading under the ownership of Dai Yongge, and the long-suffering supporters have seen multiple takeover attempts fail, the latest of which came in September when former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig's bid to buy the club collapsed at the last minute.

At a hearing at the Commercial Court in London last week, during which Yongge's request for an injunction against Couhig was rejected, it emerged that the Royals chief had been disqualified under the EFL’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test due to unpaid debts in China.

Yongge was then ordered to sell the club by a deadline of 4th April, and if he fails to do so, the EFL warned that "the League will consider all options available within its regulations to bring the matter to a conclusion", with expulsion believed to be one possible punishment.

American businessman Robert Platek is currently in exclusivity talks with Yongge over a potential takeover, but according to the Guardian, there is "little hope" at the club that Yongge will "complete an increasingly complex and toxic transaction" with just 10 days remaining until the deadline.

Despite the ongoing off-field turmoil, Reading have somehow managed to continue their promotion push in League One, and Noel Hunt's men currently sit eighth in the table, just two points from the play-off places, following a 10-game unbeaten run.

Darragh MacAnthony on Reading takeover situation

Speaking ahead of the game between the two sides at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday, Peterborough owner MacAnthony revealed that he does not expect Reading to be kicked out of the EFL, and he expressed his frustration that supporters could potentially be punished for Yongge's actions.

"I don’t think that’s happening [EFL suspension]," MacAnthony said on his Hard Truth podcast.

"I don’t know what to say or know enough about it - until you get all the facts you don’t want to make an opinion. I don’t want to see any club kicked out of the EFL or relegated because of an owner.

"I hate to see football teams and staff punished for things that go on off the field, it’s one of my pet peeves. I don’t agree with any of it.

"Macclesfield just got promoted - big congrats to Robbie Savage. I remember when they were thrown out of the league, and I hate to see things like that. Bury a couple of years ago, they haven’t recovered.

"You’re punishing towns, cities, fans, institutions. This can’t happen. The EFL want him to sell, I get that. Get at it and change the rules where maybe the EFL can, if necessary, take control of a club without punishing it itself, get a fair valuation and sell the club. Nobody wants to see that happen.

"Reading have had a really good season.

"They have a very young team with a lot of Academy players. They can’t sign a lot of players, they’ve had an embargo, so for them to do the stuff on the pitch that they’ve done is a credit to their fans, management team and everyone there."

MacAnthony's comments may provide some reassurance to Reading supporters who are fearing for the future of their club, but given Yongge's track record, it is difficult to have much confidence that he will sell the club by the agreed deadline.

Yongge remains in talks with Platek over a potential takeover, and Couhig has revealed that he is also still interested in buying the club, but with the deadline getting closer, there is little sign of an imminent breakthrough.

With their side in a strong position in the league, Reading supporters should be looking forward to what is likely to be an entertaining game against in-form Peterborough on Saturday, but instead the headlines this week have once again been dominated by off-field events, and all football fans will be hopeful that a resolution can be found in order to avoid the worst case scenario becoming a reality.