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    ‘The club is on life support… he’s killing us’, say angry Reading fans as owner SELLS training ground to EFL rivals

    ANGRY READING supporters have claimed that the club is “on life support” and that their owner is “killing” the club amid the latest controversy.The League One club, who were relegated from the Championship last season, have lurched from one crisis to another under Dai Yongge.Fans have already launched numerous protests against Dai YonggeCredit: AlamyThe Reading owner has infuriated fed-up fans once againCredit: Rex FeaturesThe Royals were initially docked a point in August for breaching EFL regulations, with a further three suspended.The following month they triggered their extra three-point deduction, after failing to deposit 125 per cent of their monthly wage bill into an account by a date agreed to by the EFL.They then received their third points deduction of the season last month after they were docked an extra two points to take the total to six.During 2023, the Royals were late paying HMRC for over 100 days, with EFL rules prohibiting more than 80 and that has led to regular protests from supporters demanding that Yongge sell the club.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHowever, this week reports emerged that the controversial Chinese businessman had agreed to flog something else instead – Reading’s Bearwood Park training ground to League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers.And that has further infuriated fed-up fans as Caroline Parker, a spokesperson for Sell Before We Dai spokesperson, said in an open letter from the group: “The news that Reading FC owner Dai Yongge, his sister and fellow owner Dai Xiu Li, and CEO Dayong Pang, are selling our training ground shows that they never intended to sell the club.“They’re intent on only one thing – killing Reading FC – a club with a proud 152-year history. This club is now firmly on life support.“But if Yongge, Xiu Li and Pang are killing the club, then Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig is an accomplice. He might not have pulled the trigger, but he’s helping the owners to hide the body.Most read in EFLCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL “Selling one of Reading’s key assets makes the club even less attractive to a new owner – and almost certainly scares off potential investors who were already having to contend with Yongge’s unpredictability, all while leaving more chaos for fans, players and staff to endure.“But questions must be asked.Watch hilarious moment lone EFL fan has rival supporters trying to storm past stewards after pitchside wind-up“To Yongge, Xiu Li and Pang – with a £1 million shortfall staring the club in the face, are they planning on using the funds to keep the club alive, or to run off with them to an off-shore tax haven, leaving Reading FC in an even more perilous situation?”It added: “It’s time for action. We’re calling on all Reading fans to gather tomorrow night (Friday) at 6pm outside Adams Park for a peaceful protest – and we’d invite all Wycombe fans who don’t want their club to become known as the new MK Dons to stand with us – because football has an ownership problem.“We know Reading fans are confused and worried. So are we. But one thing is clear: we will not give up in the fight for the future of our club.” More

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    Former EFL club slapped with 10 point deduction and hit whole new low as iconic team face dropping into seventh tier 

    TORQUAY UNITED have been hit with a ten-point deduction as they near administration.The National League South side have fallen from 12th to 17th in the table due to the penalty.Torquay have been slapped with a ten-point deductionCredit: RexThey are now just three points above the relegation zone and are in danger of falling into the seventh tier.Torquay are in the midst of huge financial trouble and announced plans to go into administration.National League rules state that intending to appoint administrators is an insolvency event and punishable by ten points.Owner of the club Clarke Osborne revealed last month that he could no longer fund the Devon-based side.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said in a statement: “It is with sincere regret that I advise that circumstances beyond my control during the last five weeks have brought me to the position that I am unable to continue financially supporting the club.”I have today filed on behalf of the directors an intention to appoint an administrator for the club and company.”Osborne has been in charge since 2016 and overseen two relegations.He had initially saved Torquay after past financial issues – but they have now racked up debts worth a reported £4.2million.Most read in EFLCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL There are parties reportedly interested in buying the club.The Gulls, who play at 6,500 capacity stadium Plainmoor, were in the EFL as recently as 2014.Every Premier League club’s most famous and also most surprising fanThey were as high as League One ten years earlier.Former Soccer AM presenter Helen Chamberlain is Torquay’s most well-known supporter and she took every opportunity on the Sky Sports classic show to mention her beloved team.She even has the club’s crest tattooed on her bum.Helen Chamberlain is Torquay’s biggest fanCredit: Sky More

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    EFL clash called off just hours before kick-off as torrential rain wreaks havoc on pitch

    COLCHESTER UNITED’S clash with Doncaster Rovers has been postponed following a pitch inspection.The League Two game has been called off with the “surface unplayable” after torrential rain wreaked havoc on the pitch.Colchester United vs Doncaster Rovers has been postponed following a pitch inspectionCredit: RexFollowing talks with the EFL and PGMOL, the decision was made with a rescheduled date to be thrashed out. A statement read: “Colchester United’s clash against Doncaster Rovers has been postponed.”A local official carried out a pitch inspection early on Tuesday morning and decided that the surface was unplayable, with little chance of improvement given the forecast of heavy rain throughout the day.”Following discussions with the EFL and PGMOL, the decision was made to call the game off.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Further details regarding the rearranged fixture will be communicated to supporters in due course. “All tickets for the fixture will be valid for the rearranged game (when announced), but if you can’t make it to the new date, there are three options available and they will show on your account in due course.” The Met Office said Brits would likely wake to a generally wet and breezy morning – with outbreaks of downpours.But it said the mercury would likely climb to the low-to-mid teens in parts of the north later this week, and upper teens in southern areas.Most read in EFLCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL It said London would likely enjoy 13C tomorrow, before climbing to 16C on Thursday and Friday, and hitting 17C on Wednesday.The Met said Edinburgh is set to see 11C for the next three days, before climbing to 14C on Friday.It’s a stark contrast to last week, when snow blanketed parts of the UK.Jack Keene & Matt Champman preview Day One of the Cheltenham Festival More

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    EFL owner ready to sell club’s training ground as furious fans demand action over ‘asset stripping’

    READING fans are demanding action after accusing owner Dai Yongge of asset stripping.The Royals are up for sale after months of crisis which saw the club relegated from the Championship last season before receiving a points deduction for financial irregularities this term.Dai Yongge has placed Reading’s training ground up for saleCredit: Rex FeaturesThe Royals train at Bearwood ParkCredit: GettyOwner Yongge is now willing to sell after months of protests which saw games delayed and one even suspended.He has now stated he will continue funding the club until a new owner is found – but he has now placed the training ground up for sale.Reading released a statement confirming the news from Yongge and CEO Dayong Pang.It read: “Mr Dai is currently evaluating every option at present to secure sufficient funding until new ownership is confirmed. In doing so, he is open to the sale of Bearwood Park, should an appropriate offer be received.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Whilst dialogue with potential new ownership groups are progressing, as of today no single party has been granted exclusivity. “Mr Dai and representatives will continue to liaise with interested parties and hope to move forward at the earliest possible opportunity.”Further communication with substantive developments will come as appropriate.”But the statement has been met with backlash as fans have accused the owner of asset stripping.Most read in EFLCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL It comes after Reading flogged a number of promising young talents in January.One fan said: “Congratulations. You’ve just openly announced your intentions and willingness to asset strip the club. Utter, club, killers, the both of you.”Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersAnother added: “Nowhere near a sale, very near to the end of this football club. Asset thieving fraudsters.”And a third wrote: “Yeah we’re completely f****d. Asset stripping at its finest. Just sell the club.” More

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    West Brom star controversially recreates Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ to stop crucial goal in Championship

    THERE was huge drama in the Championship last night as West Brom defender Cedric Kipre recreated Maradona’s “hand of god”.The incident took place in the 52nd minute of the game after QPR midfielder Sam Field headed a goalbound effort towards the West Brom net.Sam Field managed to loop the ball over PalmerCredit: Sky Sports/XBut Kipre was there to provide coverCredit: Sky SportsHe deflected the ball over the crossbarCredit: Sky SportsHowever, with the ball already having beaten West Brom keeper Alex Palmer, the shot was cleared off the line by the hand of Kipre – who slapped the ball over the crossbar with his hand.Kipre managed to disguise his handball so well that barely any QPR players in the West Brom box even appealed for a penalty.QPR fans behind the goal also didn’t appear to notice the hand of God, with many simply putting their head in their hands in the belief that the Hoops had missed a great chance.Likewise, the Sky Sports pundits at full time said they all thought they’d witnessed an “unbelievable” save from Palmer on first glance and only realised there had been a handball after they saw a replay.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe controversy could be crucial for both teams at either end of the table with the game ending 2-2.Victory would have seen QPR rise to 16th in their fight to stave off relegation.Instead, they sit in 19th and are just one point above the drop zone.And for West Brom, a point was valuable in keeping them in the hunt for a playoff place.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Baggies sit fifth on 60 points and are five points ahead of seventh placed Norwich.After the game, QPR coach Marti Cifuentes joked that his team would have to train playing against “two goalkeepers” going forward.My dad ‘beat up’ Man Utd legend Roy Keane in a furious dressing room fight – now I’m making my own way in the EFLThe Spanish coach joked: “I’ve been told West Brom have played with two ‘keepers for while. Football is a game with mistakes, and unfortunately, the referees can make mistakes as well.”It’s a difficult job, the second-most difficult job, after being a manager. But I’m not going to complain, I’m here to make sure my team is better than that, so if today we had to play against two ‘keepers, we need to practice against two ‘keepers.Like most at the ground, Cifuentes also thought that the hand of god was simply a great save at first, saying: “I thought the keeper made an amazing save. The real keeper.”QPR defender Steve Cook was less magnanimous however and said: “It was a blatant handball from Kipre and it can’t be missed. It’s a terrible decision from the referee.”West Brom manager Carlos Corberan meanwhile said he “couldn’t remember the action.”When pressed on the matter he said: “Hopefully the decisions made by the referees are the correct decisions, but unfortunately, mistakes happen.” More

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    EFL fans slam club’s ‘disgraceful’ 43-word statement sacking manager after 25 years – as owner DELETES his Twitter

    ACCRINGTON STANLEY fans slammed the club’s “disgraceful” 43-word statement after sacking their long-serving manager.The League Two side were thumped 4-0 away at Wrexham yesterday – conceding all four in the first half in North Wales.John Coleman’s ten-year stint as Accrington Stanley boss ended after defeat at WrexhamCredit: RexCredit: Accrington StanleyThat left the ‘Owd Reds 16th in the table after a third defeat in a row as hopes of securing a play-off spot appear to be fading. And it spelt the end for Coleman, who had been boss since 2014, and his assistant Jimmy Bell.Before this decade-long stint, Coleman had also managed Accrington from 1999 to 2012 taking them from the Northern Premier League to the EFL – totalling nearly 23 years in the What Stadium dugout. But despite his dedicated service to the club dating back to the previous century, the 61-year-old’s exit was announced with a brief, blunt comment from the club. READ MORE ON EFLThe statement said: “Accrington Stanley can today confirm that John Coleman and Jimmy Bell have been informed that their contracts are terminated with immediate effect.”Everyone at the club thanks them for their long-standing service and we wish them all the very best for the future.”However, the ridiculously short press release prompted a furious backlash from raging supporters on social media.One said: “Are you taking the p***? They deserve better than that, after such brilliant and long service.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother wrote: “Is this statement for two people who have given nearly 25 years of service to the club?”A third added: “The manner of this statement is horrendously thought out. Two paragraphs for almost 25 years of promotions from obscurity in non-league to punching their weight in the EFL really does leave a very bad taste. It’s the end of a bloody great era.”EFL clash POSTPONED just an hour before kickoff as fans fume ‘you’re a disgrace’A fourth fumed: “A truly graceless statement. Over two decades at the club, John Coleman has the respect of many in the game and deserved better than this shoddy paragraph.”And a final user simply replied: “Shocking.”To make matters worse, unpopular Accrington owner Andy Holt appeared to delete his X account immediately after news of Coleman’s sacking broke. Holt – who famously put the club up for sale on the social media platform – regularly got into bitter spats online.That included a row with Boris Johnson during Covid and Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham over ticket prices.The Hollywood pair’s side were angered that Accrington hiked up prices for their fans’ trip to the Wham Stadium – and responded by reducing the costs for yesterday’s return fixture.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat led to Holt hitting out at Wrexham’s “stupid mistimed statements”. And just two weeks ago, the controversial owner revealed on X he was raising season ticket prices and the cost of beer to fix a “million-pound hole” at the club relegated last season. More

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    EFL clash POSTPONED just an hour before kickoff as fans fume ‘you’re a disgrace’

    BRADFORD’S clash against Notts County has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Heavy rainfall hit Valley Parade this morning and an inspection was called by referee David Rock at 1pm.Bradford’s pitch was deemed unplayable by officialsCredit: RexBut Bradford had already tweeted at 10:15am that the game was on.However, the official then looked at the pitch as he was joined by both sides’ managers.And they came to a decision that the surface was unplayable and they postponed the game.Fans were left fuming after the news was announced just an hour and 15 minutes before kick-off at 3pm.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThousands of fans had already begun their journeys to Valley Parade.Angry supporters wrote online: “You’re a disgrace, we’ve paid good money to stay down here, I’m not going to get that money back.”Another added: “That pitch is not fit for Sunday League.”A third said: “I’ve followed this all morning. It was obvious hours ago. What’s the idea of all the ‘it’s on’ tweets throughout the morning.”Most read in EFLHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALLMore reacted: “Would not be unhappy for the club to be investigated for the state of this. Laughing stock to all fans in the EFL. Travelling supporters spending money for nothing. It’s utterly shambolic.”It is currently unclear when the League Two game will be rescheduled for.Fans left in stitches at ‘one of the worst penalties you’ll ever see’ during Accrington vs Bradford penalty shootout More

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    Kick-off DELAYED in huge EFL grudge match between AFC Wimbledon and MK Dons after team bus held up

    WIMBLEDON’S home clash with hated rivals MK Dons has been delayed 15 minutes.The two sides were due to collide at 12:30 in League Two.AFC Wimbledon’s clash with their bitter rivals was delayedCredit: Olivia WestMK Dons arrived late at Plough Lane to face AFC WimbledonCredit: RexHowever, the kick-off had to be moved back due to the late arrival of the MK Dons team.Their team coach only got to Plough Lane at around 11:45am.That was after it had been delayed in South West London “traffic” .It was then announced that the start of the showdown had been put back by quarter of an hour.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe bad blood between the two clubs has existed ever since MK Dons were formed in 2002 when the owners of the original Wimbledon FC moved the side up to Buckinghamshire.Furious supporters of the old club formed AFC Wimbledon, and they worked their way up from non-league back into the professional game.Since they returned to the Football League, the two teams have faced-off several times.The first competitive fixture between them took place in December 2012 in the FA Cup second round, a game that MK Dons won 2-1.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSToday will be the 15th time that the two teams have collided.As well as that FA Cup match, they have met in the EFL Trophy, the League Cup and the Football League.We live in shadow of football stadium – fans fall asleep drunk on our sofas and ‘p*** on walls…we know it will get worseMK Dons have enjoyed eight victories, while AFC Wimbledon have been victorious on just two occasions.Irate fans also believe that the Dons nickname belongs to Wimbledon and that MK Dons is a completely separate club who should have no claim to the history of the original side.That has even led to AFC Wimbledon landing themselves in trouble for refusing to use MK Dons’ full name on their stadium scoreboard.It was MK Dons celebrating in January when they last met as goals from Dan Kemp, an own goal from Ryan Johnson and Warren O’Hara earned a 3-1 win over their rivals, who had two players sent off. More