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A third-tier Football League match in England between Reading and Port Vale has been abandoned just 16 minutes into the first half after about 1,000 home fans refused to leave the pitch after invading to protest against the club's ownership.
- The third tier match between Reading and Port Vale was abandoned as home fans stormed the pitch in the 16th minute
- The invasion was a protest against Reading's owner, who has failed to pay players on time on several occasions
- Port Vale and Reading fans were seen shaking hands in solidarity, while it is unclear if the match will be rescheduled
Reading made several appeals over the stadium loudspeakers and social media for fans to leave the field and allow the League One game to resume, but it was eventually abandoned with the score at 0-0.
Reading fans have long been unhappy with the club's owner, Chinese businessman Dai Yongge, accusing him of financial mismanagement.
Reading has been deducted a total of four points this season for failing to pay players on time.
Saturday's game was initially held up for three minutes when fans threw tennis balls onto the playing surface at The Madejski Stadium, before supporters ran on the field in large numbers.
Referee Ross Joyce took the players to the dressing rooms, while the supporters milled around the pitch, some letting off blue flares.
Fans eventually started to leave the field but many of them returned and staged a sit-in in the centre circle.
Port Vale and Reading fans were seen shaking hands and embracing during the protest, in apparent solidarity over their concerns for the future of the former Premier League club.
It was unclear whether the game would be replayed or whether Port Vale would be credited with a win.
The English Football League, which runs the professional divisions below the Premier League, posted a statement on social media saying "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 involved," it said.
Before the game was abandoned, Reading posted a statement on X, formerly Twitter, saying: "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 for your support today."
AAP
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