Sell Before We Dai comments on Reading FC match disruption.

Supporters group READING FC Sell Before We Dai has urged supporters  to throw tennis balls onto the pitch during tonight’s match against Bristol Rovers for fear of the match being abandoned.
After protesting by throwing a tennis ball onto the field three times to halt play, the EFL told the club that any further protests could result in the matches being abandoned.
Therefore, SBWD asks fans not to miss the match.

A statement released by the group reads: “When Sell Before We Dai was founded, one of our founding principles was “support the team, not the regime.
” “When we helped organize the tennis ball protests, it was because we had reached a point of desperation.
Game disruption was warranted…and it worked.
“Against Bolton, the tennis ball protest made headlines and generated a high level of political support.
Against Burton, it caused a stir in the stadium’s four stands.
During the match against Portsmouth, more than 2,000 Reading fans marched from the city to the stadium to demand new owners and tougher regulations.
It is natural that protests against tennis balls would take place in stadiums.

“The EFL has since made it clear – through the club – that any further disruption to the match could result in the match being abandoned.
“To put it bluntly, we tend to ignore them.
The authorities seem certain, further disciplinary measures will add salt to our wounds and we will have nothing to lose.
The EFL have given up on our club – we will give up one of their games.
“However, we currently believe that tonight’s match is not a match to give up on.

“With HMRC paying, the club is – now – no longer under immediate threat of administration.
This also significantly reduces the risk of points being deducted at future disciplinary hearings.
We also hope this is a sign that the club is about to be sold.
“Reading’s off-the-pitch situation may have improved only slightly, but our on-field situation remains dire.
We are bottom of the league and have young players lacking confidence.
We are under the impression that an action tonight would disrupt the group without having enough impact on the regime.
“To be very clear, if our situation deteriorates again – and especially if the EFL is complicit – the abandonment of the match and the disruption in the match will immediately return.
We are also actively preparing for the next phase of the campaign, which includes further engagement with DCMS, MPs, the FSA, Fair Game and other supporters’ Trusts.