Reading FA Cup clash leaves both sets of players unwell with match postponed
Wolves Women have been forced to postpone their weekend fixture after a significant percentage of the squad fell ill after consuming food provided by Championship side Reading following their FA Cup clash.
The Royals hosted the National League side in the competition's fourth round and fell to a shock 2-1 loss courtesy of Destiney Toussaint's last-ditch winner.
According to a statement from the club, Dan McNamara's side have been unable to train this week due to the illness outbreak which has affected both players and staff. Reading have also been impacted by the illness.
Consequently, Wolves ' Birmingham Challenge Cup semi-final with rivals West Bromwich Albion on Sunday has been postponed as the midlands club attempts to temper the outbreak.
Reading were relegated from the Women's Super League last season and the women's department was subsequently reduced to a semi-professional operation amid the club's ownership crisis.
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The men's side's League One game with Port Vale was abandoned on Saturday after a pitch invasion and protest by angry supporters. Owner Dai Yongge has struggled to pay wages while staff at the club have been told to wear warm clothes to save on heating and players told to bring in microwave meals to save on catering.
On the situation, Wolves' academy manager for operations Laura Nicholls said in a statement: “Unfortunately, following the FA Cup victory at Reading on Sunday, a high percentage of our squad have fallen ill which we’ve aligned to the post-match food they received because it’s also affected Reading.
“14 of the playing staff and four of our coaching staff have been affected. Unfortunately, we’ve not been able to train this week or complete any preparation. We spoke with the County FA to get some support to cancel the game because we need to put the health of the players first.
“We’re all really disappointed. Sunday was a fantastic victory for us and we wanted to take that momentum into another high-profile game – a Black Country derby in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup which we want to retain. We won the competition last year and it’s something we’re keen to progress and do well in.”
ALDERSHOT, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: Wolverhampton Wanderers Women celebrate after winning the Reading Women v Wolverhampton Wanderers Women - Adobe Women's FA Cup Fourth Round at EBB Stadium on January 14, 2024 in Aldershot, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images) (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)Nicholls underscored the importance of player welfare and said that both clubs have agreed to set a new date for the semi-final clash.
“Originally we had 10 or 11 who reported they were ill on Monday and Tuesday,” she said.
“Then we had four or five more since then across the players and staff. We’ve even had some today and I know Reading are in a similar situation where it’s taking a bit of time for some people to see the effects and some of the effects have been quite dangerous so it’s important we put the health of the players first.
“We’ll work with West Brom to find a date that works for both of us alongside our league fixtures. It’s a really high-profile game and I know the fans of both clubs will be disappointed that they’ve not been able to come and support.
“From our perspective, we’ll make sure we get a date agreed with West Brom as soon as possible, get that publicised and give everyone the chance to attend and cheers both teams on.”
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