Reading still disappointed despite reduced fine
Tuesday 6 October 2015 16:43, UK
Reading have been issued with a reduced fine of £40,000 - down from £100,000 - following the club's appeal against a charge of misconduct regarding supporter behaviour.
Their 2015 FA Cup quarter-final replay with Bradford at the Madejski Stadium on March 16 was marred by fans invading the pitch at the end of their 3-0 victory, and objects, including a smoke flare, were thrown towards the away fans.
Reading were subsequently charged by an Independent Regulatory Commission for a breach of FA Rule E20 for "failing to ensure that no spectators or unauthorised persons were permitted to encroach onto the pitch area" but appealed, and their sanction was reduced.
The club, however, remain unsatisfied. Part of a statement issued on the club's official website on Tuesday read: "After a total of 16 other celebratory pitch incursions took place at other stadia across the country last season, we were the only club penalised.
"Reading Football Club are regularly among the clubs with the lowest number of arrests and banning orders in the division and we are also very proud of our supporters' reputation for good behaviour, both at home and away, as a club we remain disappointed by the decision and feel that the processes undertaken by the Regulatory Commission in these situations need to be reviewed in the future."
