Reading-Port Vale: Fans invade pitch to protest against owner Dai Yongge

Reading’s League One match against Port Vale was halted after home fans invaded the pitch in protest at owner Dai Yongge.

“We must reiterate to our supporters that entering or throwing items onto the pitch can put the fixture at risk of abandonment and can result in personal consequences including banning orders,” Reading wrote on X.

“We appreciate supporters’ frustrations. Please leave the field of play. The club will face serious sanctions if this does not take place.”

Sell Before We Dai, a fan-led group urging Yongge to sell Reading, had planned a protest at full-time of the match.

Play was held up in the third minute when supporters threw tennis balls on to the pitch.

Last month fans protested at the Houses of Parliament against Yongge following sanctions imposed by the EFL, including a transfer embargo over an unpaid tax bill.

Reading have suffered a series of deductions totalling 16 points since November 2021, including four in August.

They were fourth from bottom in the table – three points off safety – before Saturday’s fixtures.