Harris blames abuse ‘on society’
NEIL Harris pinned the blame for obscene chanting by his club’s fans on society at large as Cardiff were held by Reading.
During the first half an announcement was made over the public address warning the “away fans” to desist from their alleged racist and homophobic behaviour.
Cardiff had gone ahead when Callum Paterson guided home from close range before Yakou Meite levelled three minutes later with his seventh goal of the season.
Reading defender Tom McIntyre was sent off in the 81st minute for a second bookable offence.
Cardiff skipper Sol Bamba then somehow contrived to head wide from almost on the goal-line.
“We, as a football club, work extremely hard behind the scenes [to combat racist and homophobic behaviour],” Harris said. “For me, it’s not about Cardiff City today or Reading or whoever. It’s about society and football in general.
“We have to make sure that, as a society in a football industry, everything is correct.”
On the draw, Harris added: “We deserved to win. We got our noses in front and we had enough chances in the first half and second half to go through.
“We just weren’t ruthless or clinical enough.
“I wanted to avoid a replay, of course, but when you come away in the Cup, you sometimes have to settle for a draw.”
Two goals in the opening eight minutes got the tie off to a hectic start.
Cardiff went ahead in the fifth minute, when Meite clumsily lost possession in midfield. Joe Ralls crossed to the far post, Aden Flint nodded it goalwards and Paterson pounced from close range.
But Reading were soon level from Charlie Adam’s delicate chipped pass, which Meite chested down before lashing past Alex Smithies.
Reading thought that they had gone in front in the 35th minute after Smithies failed to hold a powerful shot from Sone Aluko. Meite tucked home the loose ball, but was ruled offside.
Play was held up for several minutes as Reading captain Matt Miazga received treatment for what appeared to be a leg injury. He was eventually carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Gabriel Osho.
McIntyre saw red nine minutes from time for a rash tackle on Paterson, then Bamba, in the frantic closing stages, somehow headed wide with the goal at his mercy.
Reading manager Mark Bowen said of the alleged racism: “It’s unfortunate but apparently they were two small isolated incidents.
“No one likes to hear it. We had it at Millwall the other week and you just hope and pray it’s not creeping back into football.
“Nobody likes to hear it and it needs to be stamped out.”
Of the prospect of a replay, Bowen said: “I’m like a fan. You want to be there listening to the draw for the next round of the Cup and feel that you team is still in there.
“We’ve not got through the tie but we’re still in the hat.”