Reading Football Club, situated in League One, is currently confronting significant financial difficulties that have led to the club being deducted four points this season and positioned second from the bottom in the league. In order to guarantee that the staff are remunerated, Reading boss Ruben Selles and head of football operations Mark Bowen have chosen to renounce their own salaries.
Paying the players was the main priority for the club to avoid further point deductions, resulting in the staff only receiving 50 percent of their monthly wages. Selles and Bowen have taken the extraordinary step of deferring their own pay to ensure that the staff are compensated in full. Selles remarked, “Myself and Ruben decided we would forfeit all our wages until the staff are paid in full. We’ve been told the funds will arrive and everything will be settled by early next week.”
During the crisis, fans have voiced their frustration, with protests occurring during Reading’s FA Cup defeat to non-league side Eastleigh. Tennis balls and counterfeit money were thrown onto the pitch as a symbol of discontent. Selles has publicly criticized the decision to not pay the staff in full, stating, “We are in a position we don’t want to be. Unfortunately the CEO made the decision to pay the players fully and only partially the staff because of the financial situation of the club.”
Furthermore, Selles has urged for a review of the rules by the English Football League to prevent similar situations from arising in the future. He stressed, “The EFL needs to review their rules because they do it in order to have control of the clubs and the ownership but the reality is they are taking out 75 per cent of the workers of Reading Football Club.”
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As Reading FC continues to grapple with its financial turmoil, the decision of Selles and Bowen to forfeit their wages illustrates their commitment to ensuring the well-being of the club’s staff. Their actions reflect a sense of responsibility and camaraderie towards the entire organization in challenging times. The implications of this situation extend beyond the club itself, prompting a broader discussion on the financial management of football clubs and the welfare of their staff.