10 months ago
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Gymshark CEO Ben Francis has moved to deny claims he's on the verge of becoming sole owner of Reading.
Reading have fallen from the brink of the Premier League to League One in the space of seven years and have fallen into financial turmoil under current owner Dai Yongge.
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The club have been docked 16 points in the last two years, with Reading hit with two deductions this season alone.
Fans of the Royals are desperate to see the Chinese millionaire relinquish any control of the club and have taken to extreme measures to voice their outrage at him.
Their league clash against Port Vale earlier this month was abandoned after fans stormed the pitch at the Madjeski Stadium in protest against Yongge.
Meanwhile, their FA Cup defeat at non league Eastleigh in December was temporarily suspended after fans threw tennis balls, fake money, and a flare onto the pitch.
The future of the club remains up in the air, however, it emerged on Sunday evening that Francis could be a contender to take over the club.
It was reported that he was on the verge of becoming the sole owner. However, he's denied this story, insisting his loyalty to his beloved Aston Villa and duties to running fitness apparel and accessories manufacturer Gymshark.
I’m sorry but this isn’t true," Francis said.
"I’m a Villa fan through and through and wouldn’t have an involvement with any other club. Plus I’m far too busy at Gymshark! All the best I hope you can get everything sorted."
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Reading fans have received a lot of sympathy from fans across the country, however, chief executive Dayong Pang says the process to begin the sale of the club is underway.
Pang also condemned the actions of the protesting fans who ran onto the pitch on January 13, saying it was doing more harm than good.
"I share the frustration about the selling process," Pang told talkSPORT.
"But the reaction has done nothing good for the club, and it has done nothing good for the selling process.
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"The selling process is undergoing. I please ask our fans [to] be more patient. It takes time. Please be patient."
Asked by Jim White whether the Royals have any potential buyers, Pang remarked: "We keep talking to all different kinds of buyers after two offers pulled out.
"We are still talking to all different kinds of people and Mr Dai is 100 per cent willing to sell the club."
Pressed as to whether he realised how important the football club is to the supporters, Pang stated: "We understand.
"He is trying to put the club in safe hands. We cannot just lie to sell the club to people."
Expressing if he has any fear for further protests, he declared: "There's nothing I can do more.
"We are doing our job, and some fans think they are doing the right thing.
"All I can say, is just ask our fans, just please be more patient. The selling process is undergoing."
