Reading’s League One match in opposition to Port Vale was deserted after round 1,000 residence followers protesting in opposition to the membership’s proprietor invaded the pitch.
The begin of the sport on the Select Car Leasing Stadium had already been held up for 3 minutes when tennis balls had been thrown onto the enjoying floor.
Referee Ross Joyce then took the gamers into the dressing rooms after 16 minutes as residence followers took to the sphere of play, with some letting off blue flares.
Many Reading supporters need proprietor Dai Yongge to promote the membership, which is presently fourth from the underside within the third tier, following sanctions imposed by the EFL.
Dai is blamed by many supporters for the membership’s issues, together with wages not being paid and a winding-up order being served in October over unpaid taxes.
Dai took cost in 2017 however has come beneath criticism after the membership was hit with quite a few penalties for monetary mismanagement, together with a four-point deduction this season for a late fee of the month-to-month wage invoice.
This season, they’ve acquired 4 factors in deductions – a punishment that has seen them wrestle within the League One relegation zone.
There had been a string of bulletins, together with warnings that the match could be deserted, boos from some residence followers who remained within the stands and chants from the travelling Port Vale supporters of: “We want our money back.”
But a hardcore group of round 40 Reading followers stood within the centre circle, refusing to return to the stands, and the match was ultimately referred to as off at 4.25pm.
A press release posted on Reading’s X account learn: “We are fully aware of and understand our supporters’ frustrations, but we must reiterate to our supporters that entering or throwing items on to the pitch can put the fixture at risk of abandonment and can result in personal consequences including banning orders.
“Thank you in your assist at the moment.”
Reading manager Ruben Selles said he fears the club may be forced to play home games behind closed doors.
“We know that there could possibly be repercussions,” he said. “A factors deduction is unlikely, however it could actually occur.
“It could be that we play with an empty stadium for one or two games or even the rest of the season.
“There could possibly be a monetary punishment, in fact.”
Meanwhile, the League One match between Bolton Wanderers and Cheltenham Town was postponed following a medical emergency in the crowd.
The game at the Toughsheet Community Stadium was halted after 29 minutes in the first half after a fan suffered a suspected cardiac arrest in the East Stand.
Referee Sunny Singh Gill took the gamers off the pitch shortly after 3.30pm as medical workers went to assist the supporter and the match was formally deserted half-hour later.
Bolton mentioned in an announcement: “The man was treated by medical staff and paramedics at the scene, while the two teams were taken off the pitch.
“Following sustained makes an attempt to revive the affected person, he was taken to the primary assist room on the stadium and the match was deserted shortly after 4pm.
“The supporter was subsequently taken to hospital and the thoughts of everyone at Bolton Wanderers are with him and his family.
“An replace on the supporter’s situation will observe.”
Source: information.sky.com”