Reading boss claims club could play rest of season in empty ground after protest

14 January 2024 , 11:58

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Reading fans invaded the pitch against Port Vale on Saturday (Image: JASONPIX)

Reading boss Ruben Selles has warned that the club be forced to play the rest of the season behind closed doors as fan unrest reached new levels on Saturday.

The Royals are facing a second successive relegation as they sit 21st in League One with fans growing increasingly frustrated with owner Dai Yongge. They've made their anger known this year but against Port Vale numerous supporters invaded the pitch.

Eventually the clash had to be abandoned as fans refused to leave the pitch at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Reading could have to hand Port Vale the points as a result and Selles speculated at a range of other sanctions which could be handed down.

He warned: “The implications are a points deduction, it can be that we play with an empty stadium for one, two games or even for the rest of the season. And financial punishment of course. It is a big variety of things and that will be for a panel of experts to decide.”

Selles also added: “Am I sympathetic to the fans? I’m sympathetic with the fact that we all want the best for Reading Football Club. I’m sympathetic but really I want to play matches and win matches. I can understand the protests but my real focus is to make this group of players better.”

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Reading have been deducted points on several occasions during Yongge's ownership for breaching financial rules. Fans are desperate for the Chinese owner to sell-up and maintained that they will not be halting their protests.

Sell Before We Dai, a fan-led group said on social media: "We shouldn't be doing this. We should be enjoying the game with friends and family. This is just the start Dai. We are coming for you. So do yourself a favour and sell."

Reading fans had a clear message for their owner (JASONPIX)

The EFL said on the ramifications: "Every effort was made to restart the game. But it became increasingly obvious that this would not be possible. We will now discuss the implications of this afternoon's events with the clubs."

Assistant boss Andrew Sparkes and director of player development Eddie Niedzwiecki left last week due to what Reading described as “ongoing financial challenges.” The Royals are also looking to sell players without the knowledge of director football Mark Bowen and Selles.

Samuel Meade