Cup rivals to probe ‘racist’ chants

BOTH Reading and Cardiff will be launching an investigation after alleged racial and homophobic chanting during their cup tie at the Madejski.

An announcement was made midway through the first half at the visiting support from South Wales.

A Reading statement said there were two isolated incidents, while a communication from Cardiff confirmed there would be investigations.

It said: ‘Cardiff City Football Club is aware of the allegations made against visiting supporters. We’ll be speaking with Reading

Football Club, Thames Valley Police and South Wales Police (in attendance with our travelling support) to ascertain the facts.

‘We will conduct these conversations with the relevant authorities before making any further comment.’

After a similar statement was made against Millwall last week, ironically after Reading visited The Den, Cardiff manager Neil Harris refused to be drawn on the allegations.

But he said: ‘For me it’s not about Cardiff City today, or Reading, it’s about society and football in general.’

Reading manager Mark Bowen said he was unaware of the incident but added: ‘You hope and pray it’s not creeping back into football but nobody likes to hear it and it needs to be stamped out.’

The incident overshadowed what turned out to be a frantic — and entertaining — game. Cardiff took the lead in the fifth minute after Callum Paterson picked up a knock-down by Aden Flint following a Josh Murphy cross.

Reading equalised three minutes later after Yakou Meite — who returned to training yesterday following the death of his father last week — controlled the ball and drilled home.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men when Tom McIntyre was dismissed for a second yellow and should have been put out of the competition when Sol Bamba had a header from fewer than five yards out but managed to pull his effort wide.