Prior to the match, it was expected that Reading fans would protest against the running of the club.
With 16 minutes on the clock, Reading fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch, leading to the match being suspended for a period of time.
The protest was planned after the club endured yet more financial problems this week after the owner failed to pay the staff in full on time.
In a statement, the protest group Sell Before We Dai wrote, “We are disgusted, but not surprised, to learn that Reading Football Club’s staff have not been paid in full for November – less than a month before Christmas.”
“It’s especially heinous that a billionaire has chosen not to pay his employees properly.” This is the latest example of carelessness from a man who will be remembered as one of the worst owners in English Football League history. Employees at the club are still subjected to inconceivable levels of stress.
“We took two steps forward with wins against Wycombe Wanderers and Carlisle United, but Dai Yongge has taken us backwards again,” the statement said. He has once again undermined the efforts of his hardworking employees.
“You simply pay” the staff, pay the taxman and get out of our club now. This weekend’s protest is on. Balls to Dai Yongge.”
Ahead of the match, Reading’s Head of Football Operations, Mark Bowen said to ITV: “There was not enough funding coming into the club this month to pay everyone, the chief executive made a decision to pay the players.”
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright said: “These are people three weeks before Christmas being told they’re not being paid on time.
“The owners have previous in this, they’ve had a club dissolved in China, a club in Belgium go bankrupt – the mismanagement is on such a scale.”
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