The English Football League -v- Mr Yongge Dai

By a previous decision of such a Commission, Mr Dai was required to deposit money in an account in the Club’s name. This order was made in respect of charges concerning the non-payment of players’ wages in the 2022/2023 season. It was intended to provide a form of security against non-payment of the Club’s players in the future.

However, Mr Dai failed to comply with that order. An independent Disciplinary Commission was required to determine the appropriate sanction for that breach. The Commission has ordered (in summary) that Mr Dai be fined £20,000; a further suspended fine of £50,000 be imposed, which will be activated on 12 January 2024, unless the deposit is made in full; and he shall maintain the deposit account for an additional period of time – correlated to his delay in putting the account in funds.

Robert Weekes KC acted for the EFL.

The independent Disciplinary Commission’s Written Reasons can be viewed here and the written statement of the EFL here.