Arsenal and England legend Ian Wright has praised Reading fans for their protest against owner Dai Yongge during their FA Cup exit to non-league Eastleigh.
Tennis balls and fake money were launched onto the pitch in the 16th minute- representing the 16 points deducted from the club during Mr Yongge's reign- and garnered national attention on ITV1.
This came just two days after news broke that non-playing staff would not be paid in full for November due to cash flow problems, while the players received their money in full and on time.
Speaking before the game, the Premier League icon said: “How did they (the owners) get in this position when they’ve got previous form of doing this? Reading are the sixth oldest club in the EFL. I’m totally with the Reading fans.”
🗣️ "These are proper fans who are worried about their club."
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 3, 2023
Reading fans protest at the current state of the club's finances by throwing fake money and tennis balls onto the pitch 🎾💷#EASREA | #EmiratesFACup | @ReadingFC pic.twitter.com/ssXYPPGfFP
Reading legend Jobi McAnuff and former Arsenal full-back Lee Dixon made up the panel, while presenters Mark Pougatch and Sam Matterface came in for plenty of praise for their research and understanding in the club's strife.
Matterface, while the television coverage showed the protest in full, said: "These are proper fans who are worried about their club."
Solidarity with you all. Fans were brilliant today.
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) December 3, 2023
Wright later added: "Solidarity with you all. Fans were brilliant today."
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