The League One match between Reading and Port Vale was called off when Reading supporters stormed the field to voice their disapproval of owner Dai Yongge.
Under Chinese investor Yongge, the struggling club has been facing down the barrel of administration. Their enraged followers have disrupted games on several occasions by tossing tennis balls onto the field in protest.
However, on Saturday, January 13, they intensified their protest, entering the pitch less than 20 minutes into their League One match against the Valiants with a 0-0 score. As the players made their way through the tunnel, hundreds of demonstrators made their way to the center circle.
The visiting fans appeared to back them up, yelling, “Get out of their club, you greedy b*****ds, get out of their club.”
If the pitch wasn’t cleared, a tannoy announcement threatened to end the game and may result in a fine or possibly a deduction of points. But the big bunch remained motionless.
As several people who were still in the stands pleaded with other fans to leave, the floodlights were switched off. A safety officer filed a last report just after 4 p.m., noting that while many people had moved, many more had stayed put.
A little while later, perhaps 30 minutes had passed, and the few fans who were still on the field decided to give up on the game, which is when they did leave.
They rejoiced that their power play worked, but there were also a few jeers in the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
