Nadine Osman
A Group of Reading FC fans who hurled racist and Islamophobic abuse at their Omani goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi on October 25 have had their season tickets suspended by the club.
Social media reports suggested that a section of the fans shouted ‘ISIS’ at the 34- year old during their 2-0 defeat away to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in London.
Twitter user Daniel Holloway said that, “Ali Al-Habsi you know, he made Paris explode Ali Al-Habsi in goal, he’s ISIS you know” was sung on the grounds.
Reading FC announced that it had worked with both Thames Valley Police and Arsenal Football Club to identify the people that were involved, and those in question were ejected from the stadium and will now face an official investigation.
They have since been banned from attending any Reading FC games home or away this season pending the outcome of the investigation.
‘Ali Al Habsi you know, he made Paris explode”
“Ali Al Habsi in goal, he’s ISIS you know”
Where exactly is the joke there? #ReadingFC https://t.co/njQl0ZVrhm
— Daniel Holloway (@RFCdan) October 28, 2016
In a statement to The Muslim News club spokesman said: “Reading Football Club were made aware of an isolated but allegedly extreme incident of foul and abusive behaviour from a small number of individuals who were amongst the away supporters at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.”
“Those in question were ejected from Arsenal’s stadium during the course of our EFL Cup tie against the Gunners and the club have worked closely with Arsenal Football Club and Thames Valley Police to identify those accused of serious allegations.”
“Each of the individuals has been informed by Reading Football Club that their Season Tickets at Madejski Stadium have been suspended with immediate effect, pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation. During the course of this investigation, these individuals will not be welcome at Madejski Stadium nor will they be permitted to purchase tickets to any of our away fixtures. ”
“As the vast majority of our fans understand, behaviour of the nature which has been alleged is entirely unacceptable and not welcome in football or within our community. It is also not what this football club expects of its supporters. ”
