View Full Version : UPDATED: Reading issue statement
Former Labour leader
27-01-20, 16:40
Cardiff City demand apology from Reading over fans' arrests - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51272271
Good on the club, they could have let it slide but they've backed the fans here in a big way.
dembethewarrior
27-01-20, 16:54
Good
LeningradCowboy
27-01-20, 16:59
Following conversations over the past 48 hours with Reading Football Club, Thames Valley Police and South Wales Police, we have a clear picture of the facts pertaining to Saturday’s stadium announcement during our fourth round FA Cup tie at Madejski Stadium and the upsetting allegations made against our supporters.
It is understood that the four Cardiff City supporters arrested and subsequently released prior to investigation were cited during the fixture for using what would normally be considered as unwarranted or non-sensical language. This language could be heard taking place between fans of both clubs and was of an anti-Welsh/anti-English nature.
We are extremely disappointed that Reading Football Club chose to label the behaviour as racist and homophobic (of which there has been no evidence). We also question their protocol and procedure on the day and welcome a full investigation into its use for the benefit of both our clubs and indeed British football.
We are also very disturbed and concerned with some of the subsequent press and media reporting on this matter. Cardiff City Football Club is fully supportive of the efforts being made to banish racism, homophobia and other prejudices from our game and feel that inaccurate or mis-informed reporting harms and dilutes this critical messaging and the work football does within diverse communities in our city and its surrounding areas. Cardiff City is an inclusive club and embraces all cultures, ethnicities and people. We would welcome a retraction from those press and media outlets that have given the perception of our supporters as being racist and homophobic.
Cardiff City FC Executive Director & CEO, Ken Choo, said on the matter: “Our Football Club prides itself on its respect of all people, irrespective of their background, beliefs or orientation. Cardiff is a diverse and welcoming, modern multicultural city and our supporters’ conduct consistently reflects that at our games.
“The announcement made at Reading this weekend was both damaging and hurtful and we would welcome a correction and apology from them to our supporters.
“I look forward to the conclusion of the police investigation, at which point I am confident that the reputation of our club and fans will be fully and unequivocally restored.”
https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/club-statement-270120
Full statement.
not even broadcast enough... not heard about this until i came on here...
brushed under the carpet job
life on mars
27-01-20, 17:15
not even broadcast enough... not heard about this until i came on here...
brushed under the carpet job
Well the WOL Ruby paper is way too busy rubbishing us
I expect the next edition of the Wales on Sunday will have an apology on the front page...
The match at Reading on Saturday is the start of bad blood between the clubs which will endure for a while.
Damn right - whoever made the complaint needs to be made to publicly apologise as well as Reading FC
The Bob Banker Spanker
27-01-20, 17:50
The match at Reading on Saturday is the start of bad blood between the clubs which will endure for a while.
Least intimidating team to have a rivalry with.
Least intimidating team to have a rivalry with.
I agree. They all say "Hi, can I get a..." when ordering a drink.
Probably a girly drink like Koppaberg 'an all! :hehe:
They're just a bunch of Berks
Well I ain’t apologising you bunch of racist (and homophobic) *****. :biggrin:
Well I ain’t apologising you bunch of racist (and homophobic) *****. :biggrin:
Get stuffed you snowflake :hehe::hehe:
valleys caveman
27-01-20, 18:18
Well I ain’t apologising you bunch of racist (and homophobic) *****. :biggrin:
What's the general gossip amongst Reading fans about what happened on the weekend?
What's the general gossip amongst Reading fans about what happened on the weekend?
A little bit in the dark but by and large standing by our club. From a personal perspective it pisses me off. I would like to see good relations between the two clubs but this is damaging.
A little bit in the dark but by and large standing by our club. From a personal perspective it pisses me off. I would like to see good relations between the two clubs but this is damaging.
“There are none so blind, as those who will not see” :angry:
A little bit in the dark but by and large standing by our club. From a personal perspective it pisses me off. I would like to see good relations between the two clubs but this is damaging.
May be worth reminding them of this
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-31746030
Organ Morgan.
27-01-20, 18:48
Who's advising Ken Choo on this issue, Malky Mackay?
The club would be in an awkward spot should one or more of them be convicted of a racially aggravated public order offence as adopting a similar line would leave CCFC open to accusations of condoning racism.
Der Kaiser
27-01-20, 18:53
Friday should be interesting but as they'll probably bring about 33 people it wont be that tense between the fans. I imagine our away game there next season will be a sell out for us, let ourselves be heard for the full 90 instead of being falsely embarrassed into silence by the weasels.
Der Kaiser
27-01-20, 18:54
Who's advising Ken Choo on this issue, Malky Mackay?
The club would be in an awkward spot should one or more of them be convicted of a racially aggravated public order offence as adopting a similar line would leave CCFC open to accusations of condoning racism.
Maybe, but if it is four of them, was there any need to announce it to near 3000 of us, who were doing no such thing?
BlueToujours
27-01-20, 18:59
Who's advising Ken Choo on this issue, Malky Mackay?
The club would be in an awkward spot should one or more of them be convicted of a racially aggravated public order offence as adopting a similar line would leave CCFC open to accusations of condoning racism.
I suspect that Ken Choo had had a briefing from SWP who were in attendance at the game and is privy to more detail than is currently in the public domain.
Don't we have 5% of rail network and 1% of rail spending? Or Welsh Tories who will do anything to vote down Welsh language or Scottish Tories who will speak out against education in Gaelic? I'd happily trade in singing anti-English songs if in return we get a federal UK and politicians (such as the UK Prime Minster) are held to same standard Reading FC holds football fans.
Der Kaiser
27-01-20, 19:11
Don't we have 5% of rail network and 1% of rail spending? Or Welsh Tories who will do anything to vote down Welsh language or Scottish Tories who will speak out against education in Gaelic? I'd happily trade in singing anti-English songs if in return we get a federal UK and politicians (such as the UK Prime Minster) are held to same standard Reading FC holds football fans.
Apart from the fact they allowed their fans to sing pretty much exactly the same songs as us without issue. Yeah, same standard.
soulsurfer3
27-01-20, 19:13
May be worth reminding them of this
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-31746030
I didn`t realise they had a history of this type of false accusation and paranoia , blimey talk about being on guard, they must be expecting Liz and Phil at every home game.
splott parker
27-01-20, 19:20
A sharp PA man down the City could have a satirical, sarcastic field day on Friday & next Tuesday, the piss could be taken in so many ways every time the 50 or so Reading fans break into song. ‘We forgot that you were here’..... ‘Could the Reading fans please refrain from singing derogatory songs about dementia’, ‘Is there a fire drill?’.....’Could the Reading fans refrain from scaremongering about arson’ etc etc, any more?
Michael Morris
27-01-20, 19:21
<p><span style="font-size: 14.4px;">The Club reacts after Cardiff City fans called racist and homophobic by Reading Football Club.</span></p>
<p>Amid the 'banter' betwen Cardiff and Reading fans at the Madejski on Saturday a sombre announcement over the tannoy warned Cardiff City fans to stop their racist and homophobic language.</p>
<p><img title="C:WindowsTempphpCBDE.tmp" src="http://pictures.footymad.net/upload/120/942602-1.jpg" alt="C:WindowsTempphpCBDE.tmp" width="600" height="360" /></p>
<p>The result was to dull the, until then, lively interaction between the home and away supporters and left Cardiff fans wondering just what an earth had happened.</p>
<p>It seems that the anti English and anti Welsh singing that was going back and fore was 'racist and homophobic' but only if you were a Cardiff fan.</p>
<p>As a result of the annoucement the media quickly jumped on the bandwagon and were happy to spread the news without the facts (nothing new there then) and fulfil the myth spread by the tannoy announcer.</p>
<p>There have been minor retractions and word changes from some of the media quick to hammer us at the time but when your own national newspaper runs a front page headline FANS IN 'RACIST CHANT' STORM you realise that trial by media is pretty one sided and first impressions, however inaccurate, count.</p>
<p>I hope that Reading FC and Wales On Sunday offer some sort of retraction and the mainstream media report on that as quickly as they were ready to condemn us.</p>
<p><em><strong>The Club statement reads: </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Following conversations over the past 48 hours with Reading Football Club, Thames Valley Police and South Wales Police, we have a clear picture of the facts pertaining to Saturday’s stadium announcement during our fourth round FA Cup tie at Madejski Stadium and the upsetting allegations made against our supporters.</strong></em><br /><em><strong>It is understood that the four Cardiff City supporters arrested and subsequently released prior to investigation were cited during the fixture for using what would normally be considered as unwarranted or non-sensical language. This language could be heard taking place between fans of both clubs and was of an anti-Welsh/anti-English nature.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>We are extremely disappointed that Reading Football Club chose to label the behaviour as racist and homophobic (of which there has been no evidence). We also question their protocol and procedure on the day and welcome a full investigation into its use for the benefit of both our clubs and indeed British football.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>We are also very disturbed and concerned with some of the subsequent press and media reporting on this matter. Cardiff City Football Club is fully supportive of the efforts being made to banish racism, homophobia and other prejudices from our game and feel that inaccurate or mis-informed reporting harms and dilutes this critical messaging and the work football does within diverse communities in our city and its surrounding areas. Cardiff City is an inclusive club and embraces all cultures, ethnicities and people. We would welcome a retraction from those press and media outlets that have given the perception of our supporters as being racist and homophobic.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Cardiff City FC Executive Director & CEO, Ken Choo, said on the matter: “Our Football Club prides itself on its respect of all people, irrespective of their background, beliefs or orientation. Cardiff is a diverse and welcoming, modern multicultural city and our supporters’ conduct consistently reflects that at our games.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>“The announcement made at Reading this weekend was both damaging and hurtful and we would welcome a correction and apology from them to our supporters.</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>“I look forward to the conclusion of the police investigation, at which point I am confident that the reputation of our club and fans will be fully and unequivocally restored.”</strong></em></p>
soulsurfer3
27-01-20, 19:22
A sharp PA man down the City could have a satirical, sarcastic field day on Friday & next Tuesday, the piss could be taken in so many ways every time the 50 or so Reading fans break into song. ‘We forgot that you were here’..... ‘Could the Reading fans please refrain from singing derogatory songs about dementia’, ‘Is there a fire drill?’.....’Could the Reading fans refrain from scaremongering about arson’ etc etc, any more?
Maybe the club could bring Ali or even TLG in for the night ??
I didn`t realise they had a history of this type of false accusation and paranoia , blimey talk about being on guard, they must be expecting Liz and Phil at every home game.
That incident was almost 5 years ago.
soulsurfer3
27-01-20, 19:31
That incident was almost 5 years ago.
And >>.? How many more are out there ?
That incident was almost 5 years ago.
Indeed and if our club got it wrong then I expect a full retraction and apology but for now we don’t know the outcome of the investigation.
soulsurfer3
27-01-20, 19:35
Don`t be surprised if SWP and CCFC have had contact prior to the club statement.
Don`t be surprised if SWP and CCFC have had contact prior to the club statement.
Yep I suspect you are right. I have never experienced anything other than an excellent atmosphere when I have been at the CCS and was to put it mildly very surprised by what was alleged to have happened on Saturday.
soulsurfer3
27-01-20, 19:44
Yep I suspect you are right. I have never experienced anything other than an excellent atmosphere when I have been at the CCS and was to put it mildly very surprised by what was alleged to have happened on Saturday.
Sometimes in life you can overcook things and lose sight of what is actually taking place, I think you above all can see the situation from both sides and its just plain wrong. Don1`t let it affect your love of us !!!
splott parker
27-01-20, 19:45
I didn`t realise they had a history of this type of false accusation and paranoia , blimey talk about being on guard, they must be expecting Liz and Phil at every home game.
Takes the biscuit eh:getscoat:
cityhammer
27-01-20, 19:56
Despite what we now know the media are still mentioning racist chanting! This article has been posted in the last 5 minutes!!!
http://https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/sport-opinion/reading-fc-cardiff-city-fans-17637230 (http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/sport-opinion/reading-fc-cardiff-city-fans-17637230)
Sometimes in life you can overcook things and lose sight of what is actually taking place, I think you above all can see the situation from both sides and its just plain wrong. Don1`t let it affect your love of us !!!
I very much do see it from both sides and find some of the stuff on both HNA and here difficult to accept. It certainly won’t stop me from posting on here.
soulsurfer3
27-01-20, 20:00
I very much do see it from both sides and find some of the stuff on both HNA and here difficult to accept. It certainly won’t stop me from posting on here.
Glad to hear ir, anyway we have a summer of love to look forward to with the Euros and Glammy !!!
Despite what we now know the media are still mentioning racist chanting! This article has been posted in the last 5 minutes!!!
http://https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/sport-opinion/reading-fc-cardiff-city-fans-17637230 (http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/sport-opinion/reading-fc-cardiff-city-fans-17637230)
At least it’s balanced blaming both sets of fans. You could argue both sets of fans were making racist chants in reality. Where do you draw the line? There is a danger that the game becomes sanitised to the extent no one dares make a chant and the match day atmosphere is ruined.
Glad to hear ir, anyway we have a summer of love to look forward to with the Euros and Glammy !!!
Yeah we do and it’s brilliant (apart from the Glammy bit).
Who's advising Ken Choo on this issue, Malky Mackay?
The club would be in an awkward spot should one or more of them be convicted of a racially aggravated public order offence as adopting a similar line would leave CCFC open to accusations of condoning racism.
Don’t want to say too much, but I’ve spoken to one and what they were accused of saying wasn’t racist unless you see English as a race.
Strange thing is that Reading fans were singing similar anti- Welsh songs and there was no action taken on them. So if this behaviour is racist then then
to only take action against the Welsh fans appears to be racist in itself as Reading ( and TVP) are clearly happy to condone anti- Welsh chants , but not anti- English ones ( not forgetting we are the minority here too )
Personally I’m not into it. I like England, lived there for 6 happy years, married an English girl and love her English family ,some of whom followed her to Wales and love it here..but the chants from either side really shouldn’t bother anyone that much that it requires an arrest.
light up the darkness
27-01-20, 20:23
Don't we have 5% of rail network and 1% of rail spending? Or Welsh Tories who will do anything to vote down Welsh language or Scottish Tories who will speak out against education in Gaelic? I'd happily trade in singing anti-English songs if in return we get a federal UK and politicians (such as the UK Prime Minster) are held to same standard Reading FC holds football fans.
What about that fkg bridge naming shite
At least it’s balanced blaming both sets of fans. You could argue both sets of fans were making racist chants in reality. Where do you draw the line? There is a danger that the game becomes sanitised to the extent no one dares make a chant and the match day atmosphere is ruined.
It really wasn’t that bad. And the arrests were only on one side, which indicates one rule for the home fans another for away.
Journo is clearly walking a bit of a tightrope. The atmosphere will get like the ice hockey soon. ‘Go Bluebirds’
And >>.? How many more are out there ?
2 further incidents involving Reading in the last few weeks
https://www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/millwall-homophobia-den-slur/
https://twitter.com/tomddumba/status/1212398563248005121?s=21
Maybe they were on edge after these 2 incidents ( both at away games) and felt they had to make a stand.
Unfortunately they made a massive balls up of it.
4 fans, including a 15 year old boy held for 8 hours and released at 1AM.
Racist accusations splashed across the worlds media ..
light up the darkness
27-01-20, 20:32
:getscoat::getscoat::getscoat::getscoat:And
Some woman from the chartered institute of management said today that discussing football VAR cricket etc by blokes should not be allowed in the workplace because it marginalises women who disproportionately cannot take part in these conversations
Oh ffs
What about when they all gabble about Love Island or Come Dancing or whatever it’s called
Do you take your coffee white ? Racist bstd reported
The world is disappearing up its own arse. I’m off. :wave:
Optimistic Nick
27-01-20, 20:48
Indeed and if our club got it wrong then I expect a full retraction and apology but for now we don’t know the outcome of the investigation.
What has happened here is a few morons with non jobs have drawn national attention to their lack of intelligence. I doubt anyone much gives a shit about their apology because nobody cares about the views of idiots. Im sure no reading fans or Cardiff fans give a ship, but whomever was behind this bullshit complaint needs a very hard, very public kick square in the bollocks and a p45. Ill happily bid for the opportunity to deliver the kick.
soulsurfer3
27-01-20, 21:09
2 further incidents involving Reading in the last few weeks
https://www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/millwall-homophobia-den-slur/
https://twitter.com/tomddumba/status/1212398563248005121?s=21
Maybe they were on edge after these 2 incidents ( both at away games) and felt they had to make a stand.
Unfortunately they made a massive balls up of it.
4 fans, including a 15 year old boy held for 8 hours and released at 1AM.
Racist accusations splashed across the worlds media ..
Have SWP begun an investigation into the racist anti Welsh chanting at the game ?
Don`t be surprised if SWP and CCFC have had contact prior to the club statement.
The BBC cut-out the 1st paragraph from the statement which reads:
‘Following conversations over the past 48 hours with Reading Football Club, Thames Valley Police and South Wales Police, we have a clear picture of the facts pertaining to Saturday’s stadium announcement during our fourth round FA Cup tie at Madejski Stadium and the upsetting allegations made.’
soulsurfer3
27-01-20, 21:16
The BBC cut-out the 1st paragraph from the statement which reads:
‘Following conversations over the past 48 hours with Reading Football Club, Thames Valley Police and South Wales Police, we have a clear picture of the facts pertaining to Saturday’s stadium announcement during our fourth round FA Cup tie at Madejski Stadium and the upsetting allegations made.’
Cheers , logical really as the demand from the club for an apology is strongly worded, no pussy footing.
dembethewarrior
27-01-20, 21:57
The match at Reading on Saturday is the start of bad blood between the clubs which will endure for a while.
Bet our lot will shit their pants at the thought of reading shouting nasty songs and them before the game Friday.
Divine Wright
27-01-20, 22:02
I agree. They all say "Hi, can I get a..." when ordering a drink.
Probably a girly drink like Koppaberg 'an all! :hehe:
Sexism is still an issue though I see.
Organ Morgan.
27-01-20, 22:09
Don’t want to say too much, but I’ve spoken to one and what they were accused of saying wasn’t racist unless you see English as a race.
Strange thing is that Reading fans were singing similar anti- Welsh songs and there was no action taken on them. So if this behaviour is racist then then
to only take action against the Welsh fans appears to be racist in itself as Reading ( and TVP) are clearly happy to condone anti- Welsh chants , but not anti- English ones ( not forgetting we are the minority here too )
Personally I’m not into it. I like England, lived there for 6 happy years, married an English girl and love her English family ,some of whom followed her to Wales and love it here..but the chants from either side really shouldn’t bother anyone that much that it requires an arrest.
It's not what I believe counts as racist but what the police, Crown Prosecution Service and courts determine. The links below I posted in another thread today.
A Welsh woman has been made to pay compensation for using a racist slur against an English woman after calling her "an English cow".
More: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...sh-insult.html
Man fined for racism after calling Welsh people 'sheep s******s - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...s-8594480.html
Councillor fined £750 for calling Welshman 'boyo' - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...o-8689295.html
It's not what I believe counts as racist but what the police, Crown Prosecution Service and courts determine. The links below I posted in another thread today.
A Welsh woman has been made to pay compensation for using a racist slur against an English woman after calling her "an English cow".
More: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...sh-insult.html
Man fined for racism after calling Welsh people 'sheep s******s - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...s-8594480.html
Councillor fined £750 for calling Welshman 'boyo' - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...o-8689295.html
Not going to read these now , but see my other post above regarding the one sided use of the rule if in fact the authorities there do think that anti- English is racist.
StraightOuttaCanton
28-01-20, 02:02
Are those Cardiff fans who dislike Swansea allowed to express that any longer....or is it a case of... you can have rivalries but you’ve got to be polite about it... Grangetown Blue will be in turmoil 🤣
Not going to read these now , but see my other post above regarding the one sided use of the rule if in fact the authorities there do think that anti- English is racist.
The saga at the weekend was ludicrous but I hope this will not lead to even more anti English chants from our lot. Can’t we concentrate the support towards our team. Is it impossible for our loons to do this? The fans should not have been arrested but they need a serious look in the mirror for being such knobs.
Reading issue statement
https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2020/january/club-statement--clarification-for-cardiff-city-and-its-supporters
Michael Morris
28-01-20, 11:50
Two isolated incidents of discriminatory abuse in the South Stand were reported to our Safety Officer in the Control Room during the first half of our FA Cup Fourth Round match against Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.
As a result of a statement taken by the police that afternoon, it was deemed there was sufficient evidence to arrest four Cardiff City supporters for alleged racist chanting under the Football Spectators Act. To justify any arrest, there needs to be reasonable grounds.
The four individuals have all since been interviewed and released under investigation. These alleged incidents continue to be fully investigated by the Thames Valley Police and we will continue to assist the authorities with these investigations.
No further reports of discriminatory behaviour were received during the course of the tie.
As indicated on the day of the game, these incidents were isolated, restricted to a small number of individuals and affected only a minority of supporters attending the match. There was certainly no intention to tarnish the reputation of the travelling support on the day, Cardiff City Football Club nor its fanbase in general, who in the overwhelming majority behaved impeccably at the weekend.
We would like to apologise to all supporters of Cardiff City Football Club who played no part in any discriminatory abuse and feel that their character has been blemished unwarrantedly by the announcement which was made over the PA system at Madejski Stadium. Reading Football Club are liaising with the relevant football authorities to consider how football-wide protocol issued to us was implemented in this instance and we will review our procedure regarding public matchday announcements of this nature accordingly.
However, at both Reading Football Club and Cardiff City Football Club, we remain committed to ensuring that the matchday environment provides a positive experience for all.
Discrimination of any form is not ok and all supporters who visit Madejski Stadium are reminded that instances of discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated.
No further comment can be made by Reading Football Club or Thames Valley Police at this stage so not to compromise the ongoing investigation.
dembethewarrior
28-01-20, 12:21
Wonder how many reports they'll receive off us Friday 😂
Bloody Thomas valley police
Eric the Half a Bee
28-01-20, 12:45
I didn`t realise they had a history of this type of false accusation and paranoia , blimey talk about being on guard, they must be expecting Liz and Phil at every home game.
If Prince Phillip had been there, he'd have been complaining about a lack of racism.
On a separate note, my chance of appearing in the next honours' list has just got slimmer.
SLUDGE FACTORY
28-01-20, 12:56
Margaret Thatcher has complained about the number of unemployed black people
She feels there aren't enough
Sexism is still an issue though I see.
Absolutely. You never see Reading fans have the same manly drink as me (Port & Lemon, G&T etc). :hehe:
Monster munch
28-01-20, 13:49
When the Wales on Sunday post "Fans in Racist Chant Storm" on its front page you imagine all sorts.
Reading FC's statement was well written, explained what happened and has said sorry to the 99.9% of us who didn't have a scooby what the tannoy message was played for. Apology accepted and move on.
My back is up with the media (especially the WoL) who have basically said we a bunch of racist thugs. Will we receive an apology from them?
Bald Barry Bastad
28-01-20, 13:51
Friday should be interesting but as they'll probably bring about 33 people it wont be that tense between the fans. I imagine our away game there next season will be a sell out for us, let ourselves be heard for the full 90 instead of being falsely embarrassed into silence by the weasels.
That's what surprised me most. I didn't think the announcement would make any difference but WE were embarrassed into silence. Didn't think us big hard City fans would be affected but it's obviously all a front!
It would be interesting to know if there is legal precedent regarding spectator behaviour at a football match between two nations where supporters of one nation have been prosecuted for chants directed against supporters of the other nation where those chants were based solely on nationality.
A Quiet Monkfish
28-01-20, 14:20
The match at Reading on Saturday is the start of bad blood between the clubs which will endure for a while.
Quite right. Another one to add to the list. Jacks, Wurzels, Leeds, any of the top Prem clubs. Sure there are others I'm missing. We should have list printed on the back of our ST's..
alan_corneli
28-01-20, 16:11
I haven't read everything on this matter and never bother with WOL unless it's something that has been copied here, but didn't WOL remove the following sentence from the club statement:
We are also very disturbed and concerned with some of the subsequent press and media reporting on this matter.
When the Wales on Sunday post "Fans in Racist Chant Storm" on its front page you imagine all sorts.
Reading FC's statement was well written, explained what happened and has said sorry to the 99.9% of us who didn't have a scooby what the tannoy message was played for. Apology accepted and move on.
My back is up with the media (especially the WoL) who have basically said we a bunch of racist thugs. Will we receive an apology from them?
I don't agree the Reading statement was well written. It dodges and blurs the core allegations again. There are 2 issues - one is whether Cardiff fans were racist/homophobic; the other is whether the stadium announcement tarred all away fans for the actions of a handful of wronguns (leaving aside what Reading fans were chanting without any censure or sanction). The Reading statement is OK on the second point but not the first. If the complaints/allegations were about one side of an anti-Welsh and anti-English exchange - however pathetic and puerile - that should not be described as it was, and as the media then reported. I understand Organ Morgan's explanation of the wording and scope of the Act, but if Ken Choo is right Reading have misrepresented what happened and have not retracted in their statement. The mud was thrown. The mud has stuck!
Des Parrot
28-01-20, 16:42
Jacks, Wurzels, Leeds DIFFERENT LEAGUE END OF.
Reading it'll dissipate quickly if handled well. Cast you mind back a few years when Wolves were enemy #1 & they banned us. Barely a murmur at recent meetings.
Jimmy the Jock
28-01-20, 18:56
Margaret Thatcher has complained about the number of unemployed black people
She feels there aren't enough
Margaret Thatcher has passed .
Bless her
Shouldn’t this be in the past tense ?
Optimistic Nick
28-01-20, 19:31
Two isolated incidents of discriminatory abuse in the South Stand were reported to our Safety Officer in the Control Room during the first half of our FA Cup Fourth Round match against Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.
As a result of a statement taken by the police that afternoon, it was deemed there was sufficient evidence to arrest four Cardiff City supporters for alleged racist chanting under the Football Spectators Act. To justify any arrest, there needs to be reasonable grounds.
The four individuals have all since been interviewed and released under investigation. These alleged incidents continue to be fully investigated by the Thames Valley Police and we will continue to assist the authorities with these investigations.
No further reports of discriminatory behaviour were received during the course of the tie.
As indicated on the day of the game, these incidents were isolated, restricted to a small number of individuals and affected only a minority of supporters attending the match. There was certainly no intention to tarnish the reputation of the travelling support on the day, Cardiff City Football Club nor its fanbase in general, who in the overwhelming majority behaved impeccably at the weekend.
We would like to apologise to all supporters of Cardiff City Football Club who played no part in any discriminatory abuse and feel that their character has been blemished unwarrantedly by the announcement which was made over the PA system at Madejski Stadium. Reading Football Club are liaising with the relevant football authorities to consider how football-wide protocol issued to us was implemented in this instance and we will review our procedure regarding public matchday announcements of this nature accordingly.
However, at both Reading Football Club and Cardiff City Football Club, we remain committed to ensuring that the matchday environment provides a positive experience for all.
Discrimination of any form is not ok and all supporters who visit Madejski Stadium are reminded that instances of discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated.
No further comment can be made by Reading Football Club or Thames Valley Police at this stage so not to compromise the ongoing investigation.
So piping down because they are thick as pigshit. Well done, cretins.
I'm no fan of the tedious anti english stuff but this non story is a disgrace. I pity whomever decided to make it an issue, life must be a struggle for a mouthbreather like that.
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