FORMER Reading star Ady Williams has labelled goings on at his old club a “disgrace” after Rob Couhig’s proposed takeover fell through this week.
Former Wycombe owner Couhig, 75, had satisfied EFL chiefs and had invested at least £5million into the Royals.
But the American has now been paid back, after Reading owner Dai Yongge failed to complete a deal.
Fans have frequently protested against Dai, whose several late payments in recent years have led to multiple points deductions and relegation from the Championship.
Reading are currently operating on money received via a sell-on clause in Michael Olise‘s £8million sale to Crystal Palace in 2021, after the French winger joined Bayern Munich in the summer.
Following the collapse of Couhig’s takeover, Royals fans planned a further protest for during today’s home match against Huddersfield.
Reporting from the game for Sky Sports, former Reading favourite Ady Williams pulled no punches on the club’s situation.
Reading born Williams, who played more than 300 times for his hometown club, said: “What’s happened at this football club at boardroom level and off the pitch is nothing short of a disgrace.
“It’s carnage at the moment. Rob Couhig came in, as Jobi (McAnuff) said it looked like this was going to be the deal and I was thinking Reading fans can finally put this to bed, all these embargoes and protests and pitch invasions and whatever it may be.
“But Mr Couhig pulled out for whatever reason and we’re back to square one. It’s a tragedy, it really is.
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“For these Reading fans and the backroom staff and the players and manager – everybody connected with the club – it is carnage off the pitch.”
In the 18th minute of today’s match, Reading fans held up red cards with the message: “Dai family sell Reading FC.”
The Royals then went behind in the 21st minute, via Matty Pearson’s opener.
But Ruben Selles’ side were level on the half hour via Harvey Knibbs’ effort, before claiming a 57th minute lead via Ben Elliott.
Earlier this week, Selles admitted his frustration at the situation.
The former Southampton boss, 41, told the BBC: “I have had enough of this situation now.
“All the bad situations that can happen in football have happened to me in the last 16 months.
“I have a fantastic group of players that have been fighting against those situations but it gets to a point where you cannot anymore, you are repeating the things in the cycle.
“I’m not a person that likes to quit but I do need to reflect on where could be the ending point because I’m not happy with everything that’s happened.”
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