Reading Chair Says Premier League Side Will Resubmit Application To Expand Stadium

Premier League Reading Chair John Madejski said the club is to "resubmit a planning application to expand the club's stadium," according to the BBC. However, Madejski said that the expansion will "only go ahead if the club" remains in English football's top flight. The club is owned by Russian businessman Anton Zingarevich, "who has ambitious plans for the Berkshire outfit." Madejski said, "We are going to apply for planning permission again for that eventuality." Permission to expand the stadium was initially granted in '07 but, under the approved plans, work would have to start by November, "a scenario which is now unlikely, given they would only decide to go ahead in the summer." The current plans "allow the club to expand the Madejski Stadium by more than 50%," to increase its capacity from 24,500 to 38,000 (BBC, 2/7).