Authorities Investigate Madejski Madness Following FA Cup Win Over Bradford City

Reading advanced to the semi-final of the FA Cup for only the second time in their history, but shine has been taken off the victory with a number of problems with supporters.

First, there was the now-famous front-flipping hulk of a man who invaded the pitch during the second half, then the full-time pitch invasion and flares, whilst it emerged later that night that a Bradford City fan had been arrested following alleged racist abuse of Garath McCleary.

Now it has been revealed that the FA are to speak to both Reading and Bradford about the pitch invasions, as revealed by the Press Association:

The Football Association will contact Reading and Bradford to seek their observations following the pitch invasion after Monday's FA Cup quarter-final replay at the Madejski Stadium, Press Association Sport understands.

Reading fans ran onto the pitch after the final whistle in their 3-0 win over the Bantams which secured an FA Cup semi-final clash with Arsenal at Wembley.

A supporter also invaded the playing surface during the game and the FA will speak to both clubs to collect their views.

Reading released a statement shortly after the game had finished, saying:

Just before half time, one of our players registered a complaint about a comment from the away end. Within a few minutes, a man had been arrested and ejected from the Stadium.  Kick It Out have since made a statement, highlighting the swift response of the match officials, stewards, police and club. Read in full here. 

During the second half a man entered the pitch, he was arrested and ejected from the Stadium. Objects were subsequently thrown from the away end, and this has been detailed in the referee's report. 

At full time, some supporters entered the pitch, which sadly prevented our players from celebrating with fans who remained in their seats. The majority of supporters on the pitch were peaceful, however we were appalled to see an item thrown into the away end. We would ask supporters to help us identify the person in question, in order for the police to take up the matter and for the Club to apply a Stadium ban. This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable. We have a strict approach to pyrotechnics, and a man from Bradford was arrested outside the ground before the game for possession of a flare. 

The Club are of course keen for these incidents to not take away from what was an historic evening at Madejski Stadium. It has been 88 long years since we last made the semi-final of the FA Cup, and we look forward to giving our supporters at least one more memorable occasion in this season's great competition.

Whilst Bradford followed suit with the following statement:

The Club has been made aware that a supporter situated in the away end at the Madejski Stadium during Monday night's FA Cup quarter-final replay was arrested for alleged racial abuse towards Reading's Garath McCleary.

Bradford City do not condone racism or any other form of discriminatory behaviour whatsoever. 

The Club will be making no further comment until gathering the full details from the Police. 

In addition, Bradford City remains in dialogue with Kick-it-Out and the Bradford Hate Crime Alliance who offers support to the Club on matters of this nature.

Stay tuned to The Tilehurst End for more news as and when it emerges.

Let us know your thoughts on the troubles at the Madejski Stadium below.