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Reading Football Club

P003051 - 10 March 2025 to 13 May 2025

Presentations: 2
Presenters: 1
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Economy

At a Glance

This petition concerning reading football club was presented to Parliament 2 times by 1 MP.

Issue Summary

The petition addresses the deterioration of Reading Football Club (RFC) under recent ownership changes, expressing concerns about the club’s sustainability and lack of transparency in its governance.

Action Requested

The House of Commons is urged to request that the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee and the Business and Trade Select Committee launch an inquiry into RFC's ownership and governance since 29 May 2012, with a focus on matters from May 2017 onwards, for public interest.

Key Facts

  • Ownership of RFC has changed multiple times since Sir John Madejski’s tenure ended in May 2012.
  • Mr Dai Yongge and Ms Dai Xiu Li have been the ultimate beneficial owners since May 2017.
  • The current owners expressed openness to selling the club in September 2023, but no sale has yet occurred.
  • There is a lack of clarity around RFC’s deterioration and the ongoing sale process.
  • The Football Governance Bill will establish an Independent Football Regulator for financial sustainability and governance.
  • A shadow regulator is currently working on preparatory work including meetings with fan groups and local MPs.

Presentation Timeline

MPs presented this petition on the following dates. Each card shows the presenters and any recorded remarks.

Presented
13 May 2025
Yuan Yang Lab
Earley and Woodley
Presented
10 March 2025
Yuan Yang Lab
Earley and Woodley
I rise to present a petition on behalf of the residents of Reading and supporters of Reading football club. Over 600 people have signed the paper petition and over 10,000 have signed an online version, showing the strength of feeling from local fan groups who wish to keep our club alive. Reading is not the only club to have suffered from ownership problems. In fact, too many clubs across the country have done so, showing the importance of learning from our experiences at Reading. The petitioners therefore request
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