The director of Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds’s newly-promoted Wrexham soccer membership may face a grilling from MPs after a Premier League disqualification scandal was uncovered, MailOnline can reveal.
Wrexham director Shaun Harvey, who featured within the common Netflix documentary Welcome to Wrexham, could be having fun with a deserved relaxation after serving to the membership to its third successive promotion in as a few years.
Nonetheless, a ghost from his previous has come to hang-out him.
Eight years in the past, when The Pink Dragons had been nonetheless taking part in non-league soccer, Harvey was the CEO of the English Soccer League (EFL), which governs the second, third and fourth tiers of English soccer.
That yr, Studying performed Huddersfield at Wembley within the Championship play-off ultimate for promotion to the Premier League.
Extremely, Chinese language billionaire Dai Yongge was confirmed because the Berkshire facet’s new proprietor on the very same day.
Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney (left) and Ryan Reynolds (proper) have fun promotion from League One with director Shaun Harvey. A win towards Charlton final week secured their second place end
Harvey and the remainder of the EFL’s board of administrators had permitted Dai’s buy of the membership.
Nonetheless, unbeknownst to the world exterior of the governing physique, the Premier League had warned the EFL to not let Dai purchase Studying due to the dangerous religion he confirmed when attempting to buy Hull Metropolis.
It had even stated that if Studying received promotion, Dai can be disqualified and compelled to promote.
However Harvey and the board nonetheless permitted the sale as a result of Dai had the cash and, the EFL stated, there was an ‘absence of any disqualifying situation’.
Finally, that call has led to Britain’s fifth oldest membership being deducted 18 factors, relegated to League One and teeter getting ready to extinction.
It has additionally turbo-charged the creation of an Unbiased Soccer Regulator (IFR), the parliamentary invoice for which could have its third studying within the subsequent few months.
However now the Hollywood-backed Wrexham director faces a difficult future.
Though the EFL refused to say if any soccer bosses caught within the scandal will face motion, Harvey may nonetheless be introduced in entrance of Parliament.
Billionaire Dai Yongge (pictured) is healthier identified within the UK because the proprietor of the fifth oldest membership within the Soccer League – Studying FC
When Shaun Harvey (pictured at Wembley) was CEO of the EFL, the governing physique permitted Dai Yonnge’s buy of Studying in 2017
That’s as a result of one of many strongest supporters for the IFR, Labour MP Yuan Yang, can be pushing for an inquiry into Studying’s historical past since Dai took over.
Responding to a query about whether or not former EFL bosses like Shaun Harvey may face parliamentary scrutiny, the MP for Earley and Woodley, in Berkshire, stated she was ‘certain’ motion may very well be thought-about.
Yang instructed MailOnline: ‘I’ve referred to as for an inquiry in Parliament into the entire historical past below Dai Yongge.
‘I am talking to a DCMS committee about what we are able to do. I am certain they may have the ability to think about actions. I would love there to be a correct inquiry into what’s gone on.’
She added: ‘We’d like a a lot stronger impartial soccer regulator that is available in above each the EFL and Premier League.
‘Followers have a number of frustrations they usually make that heard at video games. I perceive that, however the EFL does not have the precise instruments to get Dai Yongge out of the membership.
‘I am assured there will likely be a regulator arrange. It must have correct tooth. The potential is there.’
But whereas which may be excellent news for soccer followers throughout the nation who need their golf equipment to be higher protected, Studying supporters are incandescent.
Wrexham sealed their third consecutive promotion with a win towards Charlton on April 26. Subsequent season they may play within the Championship, only one division under the Premier League
Though the EFL refused to say if any soccer bosses caught within the scandal will face motion, Harvey may nonetheless be introduced in entrance of Parliament
Harvey has been with the north Wales membership for 4 years, since 2021 when Wrexham had been within the Nationwide League, the fifth tier of English soccer
That is as a result of for the final eight years, the EFL has defended its choice to permit Dai Yongge to purchase Studying within the first place.
Sources near the EFL beforehand instructed MailOnline that soccer possession has a big gamble tradition through which some house owners spend giant sums of cash to attempt to win promotion. Talking in regards to the disaster at Studying, they stated the scenario wasn’t good for anybody.
They added that whereas it won’t be an ideal world, the EFL needed to take some sort of motion – in Studying’s case, 18 factors of deductions.
Within the eight years since Dai Yongge purchased Studying, the EFL has by no means admitted the Premier League suggested it to not approve him as an proprietor or that he can be disqualified if the membership had been promoted to the highest flight.
As a substitute, EFL deductions relegated the membership from the Championship and switch embargoes ensured the membership hasn’t spent a penny on new signings in years.
Chatting with MailOnline this week, the EFL repeated its place that in 2017, there was an ‘absence of any disqualifying situation’ and Dai ‘was not topic to a sports activities governing physique disqualification, together with the Premier League’.
In fact, the EFL did know he can be disqualified by the Premier League, a reality revealed by The Times this week.
Though that’s not one thing the EFL has ever admitted, it didn’t dispute this reality when MailOnline approached it this week.
One of many strongest supporters for the IFR, Labour MP Yuan Yang (pictured), can be pushing for an inquiry into Studying’s historical past since Dai took over
Studying followers have accused the EFL of concealing the reality in a marketing campaign of secrecy that has final nearly a decade.
Greg Double, from the Supporters’ Belief At Studying (STAR), instructed MailOnline: ‘It simply hit a nerve. The shrouded, hidden reality.
‘What about all of the punishments? 18 factors of deductions?’
However whereas the present management of the EFL stays deeply unpopular, with chants of ‘f*** the EFL’ heard frequently in stadiums throughout the nation, Double’s anger largely lies with present Wrexham director and former EFL chief Shaun Harvey.
Double stated: ‘I am fed up of the romantic story of Wrexham’s possession after they have somebody who’s complicit with Studying’s downfall.
‘He enabled one of many worst ownerships ever.
‘Maybe Shaun Harvey has realized his lesson from Studying. Ryan Reynolds has related the membership of Wrexham with the city. They’ve finished every little thing proper. The alternative of that’s Dai Yongge.
‘However Shaun Harvey is the individual I might most like an apology from. I might like to know why he ignored the Premier League’s recommendation. Did you suppose it was a good suggestion?
Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have hooked up themselves to Wrexham and funded it by means of digital streams to generate large advertising revenues
Pictured: Ryan Reynolds and his spouse Blake Full of life cheers on Wrexham at Wembley in 2022
‘I would love him to be requested some questions in any case, both in Parliament or in a company setting.
‘I would like that period of the EFL to reply these questions. What riles me is them by no means saying sorry.
‘Can now we have the reality of what occurred to Studying so it does not occur once more?
‘Dai Yongge may have purchased the membership within the morning after which two hours later been compelled to promote the membership. That’s bonkers. It boggles my thoughts.’
It isn’t simply followers fearful about the way forward for their membership who’ve reservations in regards to the EFL.
German businessman Daniel Loitz tried to purchase Studying from Dai Yongge in 2024.
He instructed MailOnline he believes the EFL’s rules have a ‘important weak spot’ and its ‘oversight processes require pressing scrutiny, together with the roles of people in present positions’.
He added: ‘Nonetheless, it should be acknowledged that these people function inside a framework of guidelines that don’t adequately deal with gaps in firm legislation.
Studying followers have protested towards their proprietor Dai Yongge and referred to as for change to cease different golf equipment dealing with the identical destiny
This week, Caz Parker, from anti-Dai Yongge marketing campaign group Promote Earlier than We Dai, stated: ‘Shaun Harvey has severe inquiries to reply and all Studying followers wish to hear him converse’
‘We firmly consider that soccer golf equipment, as group property with over a century of historical past and deep emotional significance, deserve higher safety.
‘Whereas I’ve been a visitor on this nation for over a decade, I recognise the delight and worth that soccer holds as a cornerstone of English society — a social glue that should not be misplaced.
‘Funding in soccer ought to be welcomed, but it surely should be accompanied by strong rules with actual tooth to stop conditions just like the one involving Dai Yongge.
‘The EFL and the broader soccer governance system should evolve to safeguard these invaluable group property for future generations.’
Again in Studying, Double stated the revelations that the EFL had been warned about Dai Yongge earlier than he purchased the membership ‘undermines their earlier stances’.
He added: ‘You instructed us, ”What extra may we do?”
‘It is a spirit of the sport [scenario]. On a technicality, there was nothing stopping Dai Yongge taking up. It is simply ludicrous.
‘The EFL has been serving to us out within the final couple of years however they’re much more in charge than they suppose they’re.
Greg Double, from the Supporters’ Belief At Studying (STAR), instructed MailOnline: ‘I am fed up of the romantic story of Wrexham’s possession after they have somebody who’s complicit with Studying’s downfall’
‘The argument, “We did every little thing we may on the time” is beginning to look a bit flat now.
‘The EFL’s get out of jail free card was that he had cash. If the Premier League knew he was going to do one thing like this, it is a a lot larger situation.
‘They should say, “We tousled, we’re sorry and that is how we’re fixing it.”
‘Cease being so defensive and begin being acceptive. I would not thoughts an apology or some acceptance they did not have their best hour.
‘For those who’re speaking about disqualifying [Reading] then that is a horrible look. I feel they know that and that is why now we have been granted two extensions.
‘The extra complicit the EFL are, the extra relaxed they have to be with Studying. They had been a part of the issue in order that they have to be a part of the answer.’
Caz Parker, from anti-Dai Yongge marketing campaign group Promote Earlier than We Dai, added: ‘Shaun Harvey has severe inquiries to reply and all Studying followers wish to hear him converse.
‘He’s residing the great life and we’re questioning if we’re going to exist subsequent week. He ought to come out and say why he allowed this.
‘The EFL have a number of reply for. They’ve culpability and a publish mortem must occur and hopefully classes may be realized.
‘It’s extremely clear Dai Yongge ought to by no means have been capable of take management of the membership.
Dai Yongge’s eight years as proprietor have seen the crew managed by eight managers, together with former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam (proper, with Dai)
‘What had been they considering, realizing what was across the nook had we received the penalty shootout [in the 2017 Championship play-off final]?
‘We’ve got been put by means of hell for eight years. We’ve got had a number of deductions. We’ve got paid our dues.
‘[The EFL] have gotten to make up for the earlier [EFL] administration. They want to verify they make up for this error with no extra sanctions.
‘They should give us all of the help they will. If we’d like extensions, then they should give them.
‘The present EFL try to assist. They’re selecting up the items of a surprising choice.
‘The EFL do not have the ability to power the proprietor of a restricted firm to promote their shares.
‘We hope the Soccer Regulator will change that. We have to have a change in UK firm legislation so the EFL has the ability to take away dangerous house owners.
‘It comes all the way down to having particular exemptions for sports activities golf equipment and group property.
‘In the event that they try this, then the IFR may be mild contact. Individuals can moan about ticket costs and wealth distribution however essentially, folks don’t desire their golf equipment to die.’
An EFL spokesman stated: ‘Mr Dai was not topic to a sports activities governing physique disqualification, together with the Premier League, on the time of the acquisition in 2017.
‘The rationale the acquisition at Hull Metropolis didn’t proceed was associated to the involvement of a separate particular person.
Pictured: The Choose Automotive Leasing Stadium, previously referred to as the Madejski Stadium after revered proprietor Sir John Madejski
‘This particular person was not concerned within the subsequent buy of Studying, and within the absence of any disqualifying situation, alongside ample proof of supply and sufficiency of funding, the EFL was obligated to verify that Mr Dai met the necessities of the Laws.
‘This was a collective choice taken by the Board of Administrators, on the idea of intensive exterior authorized recommendation.’
The Premier League declined to remark. Neither Shaun Harvey nor Wrexham AFC responded to requests for remark.
In Studying, followers will right now discover out if regardless of the off-field saga blighting their membership, the exceptional type of their crew will land them within the prime six come the tip of the season.
Seventh-place Studying play Twelfth-place Barnsley within the ultimate match of the season right now at their residence of the Choose Automotive Leasing Stadium.
All they should do is healthier sixth-placed Leyton Orient’s end result, who will play Tenth-place Huddersfield away.
For followers like Greg Double, that is the thrill he would like to speak about, fairly than the funds of the soccer pyramid.
He stated: ‘I am irritated how articulate I’m about soccer funds now. I would not want this on Swindon or Oxford followers [Reading’s arch-rivals].
‘We have to know what went incorrect prior to now so it does not occur once more.’
What does all this imply for golf equipment ruled by the EFL? CHRIS MATTHEWS reveals the potential fallout of Premier League disqualification scandal
BY CHRIS MATTHEWS
There are few positives to this information however not less than within the quick time period, Studying are unlikely to be affected.
Former Wycombe Wanderers proprietor Rob Couhig is alleged to be shut to purchasing the membership and that might save Studying for the second.
The actual situation this information creates is that followers can now see the EFL is both untrustworthy or inept.
These are the blokes who’ve the destiny of the 92 Soccer League golf equipment of their fingers.
For full transparency, I am a Studying season ticket holder and my want for an impartial soccer regulator (IFR) to guard golf equipment from dying is well-known.
Golf equipment are dying and this might assist. It is about defending priceless group property from the clutches of undesirable billionaires.
Tragically, Studying is the newest in an extended line of golf equipment who the EFL has permitted the house owners for after which hit with factors deductions till they’re getting ready to dying.
Lots of people do not suppose that is particularly reasonable and it most likely will not shock you that the majority Studying followers don’t significantly just like the EFL. Go to any match residence or away and also you’re greater than more likely to hear 1000’s of followers chanting ‘f*** the EFL’.
Wrexham director Shaun Harvey, who featured within the common Netflix documentary Welcome to Wrexham, could be having fun with a deserved relaxation after serving to the membership to its third successive promotion in as a few years. Nonetheless, a ghost from his previous has come to hang-out him
Image: The EFL’s present chairman Rick Parry (pictured) has been in cost since 2019, two years after the Yongge buy was permitted
In actual fact, so hated are the EFL throughout the nation that I have been to matches the place opposing followers have joined in with that chant in a present of unity towards the organisation’s bumbling bosses.
Nonetheless, let’s not child ourselves. The EFL will not be going away and so we’d like it to be robust sufficient to tackle club-killing house owners and be run by clever folks with widespread sense.
That is one thing the EFL at the moment appears to be missing. With regards to the approval of Dai Yongge as Studying’s proprietor in 2017, the EFL has all the time stated they could not have stopped him as a result of he had the cash and there have been no sporting our bodies who had disqualified him as an proprietor.
For the final eight years, many followers begrudgingly accepted this. Sure the EFL ought to have regarded deeper at Dai but when he had the cash and no disqualifications hanging over him, was it actually the EFL’s fault?
In fact, it was their job to know. They permitted him, have by no means apologised and as an alternative deducted a complete of 18 factors from Studying, which relegated the membership to League One.
Nonetheless, an article from The Occasions this week revealed a key reality.
In 2017 the EFL, run on the time by Shaun Harvey (now of high-flying Wrexham), had been warned to not approve Dai Yongge.
The Premier League instructed them Dai acted in dangerous religion when attempting to purchase Hull Metropolis and that if Studying had been promoted to the highest flight, the Chinese language billionaire can be disqualified.
The EFL didn’t dispute any a part of the Occasions article once I approached them this week.
Studying’s plight was dropped at nationwide consideration when followers compelled the abandonment of a match towards Port Vale on January 13, 2024. Supporters rushed on within the sixteenth minute, signifying the variety of factors that had then been deducted from Studying below Dai Yongge on the time. Since then, the EFL has deducted an additional two factors
Is not it unusual that regardless of the Premier League’s recommendation, on the eve of the Championship play-off ultimate that might have seen Studying promoted to the highest flight, the EFL permitted him because the proprietor.
Then within the subsequent eight years they failed to say they had been warned about him and continued to say they had been obligated to let him purchase the membership due to ‘the absence of any disqualifying situation’ and since he had proof of funds.
Certain, there wasn’t a disqualification towards him on the time, but when Studying had been promoted just a few hours after Dai purchased the membership, the EFL knew he can be disqualified by the Premier League.
And so regardless of their efforts, I extremely doubt a technicality of language will save the EFL.
Followers I spoke to this week instructed me they simply needed the EFL to just accept it was in charge. They stated the EFL wanted to cease denying it, apologise and transfer on.
Sadly, I can not see that taking place. Whether or not it is as a result of the EFL does not respect the followers sufficient or thinks they might face lawsuits for admitting that saved the reality hidden is one thing solely chairman Rick Parry and the remainder of the EFL crew will know.
Personally, I feel their silence – each now and for the previous eight years – is an absolute outrage.
However questions nonetheless want answering. Has Rick Parry been conscious of this recommendation for all of his time in cost? If not, why? And if he did, whose thought was it to cover the reality?
Regardless of Studying’s off-field points, the crew has carried out exceptionally this season and are at the moment seventh, just under the play-offs
Former Studying striker Sam Smith joined Wrexham in January 2025 (pictured celebrating promotion in April with Ryan Reynolds’s spouse Blake Full of life)
The EFL this week refused to inform me whether or not Parry would resign or any motion can be taken towards ex-CEO Shaun Harvey and different former soccer chiefs.
It appears that evidently in the course of this scandal in regards to the EFL staying silent for eight years, the EFL is as soon as once more selecting silence.
Maybe they, as some followers have urged, suppose the timing of The Occasions’s piece will not be a coincidence. The IFR invoice is ready for its third studying in Parliament and this information definitely paints the Premier League in an excellent mild – that in the event that they had been in cost they’d have disqualified Dai Yongge.
It is a disgrace additionally they saved this hidden for eight years although. It isn’t precisely nice behaviour from them both.
Finally, followers need their golf equipment and their house owners to be clear and to speak with them.
That is additionally what followers need the EFL to do, a degree soccer chiefs simply can not seem to perceive.
It is a disgrace as a result of there are good, hard-working folks on the EFL however they’re being let down by their bosses.
Many soccer followers doubt Shaun Harvey, Wrexham’s star director, will ever be held accountable for his half in nearly killing Studying – though a parliamentary inquiry may nicely change that.
What’s infuriating is that the EFL may put this to mattress proper now. They may publicly admit what all of us now know, apologise and decide to transparency sooner or later.
However I would not maintain your breath. Soccer has an possession downside but it surely additionally has a governance downside and like many followers, I am a part of a rising faculty of thought that except there are important modifications inside the EFL, no membership is protected whereas they continue to be in cost.
