[1] The siblings' interest in football is reported to have begun in the early 2000s when Dai Xiuli lived in England and watched Chinese defender Sun Jihai play for Manchester City.
In total, since taking ownership, Dai Yongge has invested more than £200m in the club, but has also found it increasingly difficult to transfer money from China to the UK.
Failure to comply, or not paying wages on time up to 30 June 2024, would activate the suspended penalty;[16] the three-point deduction was applied on 13 September 2023, dropping Reading to 21st in the table on two points,[17] and Dai Yongge faced a misconduct charge.
[18] On 29 September 2023, Dai Yongge said he was open to "credible offers of interest" to buy the club after another transfer embargo was imposed in respect to an outstanding tax bill.
[19] A 3–2 home defeat by Portsmouth on 28 October 2023 dropped the club to the bottom of League One on six points, eight from safety;[20] the match was preceded by a fans protest against Dai Yongge's ownership.
On 13 January 2024, Reading's League One match against Port Vale was halted and subsequently abandoned after up to 1,000 fans invaded the pitch in protest against Dai Yongge's stewardship of the club.
[25] On 15 January 2024, after fining Dai Yongge £50,000 for failing to meet wage deadlines, the EFL said he must "fund the club adequately" or "make immediate arrangements to sell".
[27] On 10 March 2024, Dai Yongge announced his plans to sell Reading's training ground Bearwood Park to raise funds for the maintenance of the club.