A GROUP of Reading FC fans who hurled racist abuse at Omani goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi have had their season tickets suspended by the club, it was revealed.

Reports emerged on social media that a small minority of Royals fans had chanted racial abuse at the goalkeeper during their 2-0 defeat away to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Today the club 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 on Tuesday night 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 probe.

A 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 have 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."

It is not yet known the nature of the chants that were shouted at Al-Habsi, but reports on social media suggested that it was related to ISIS.

The Omani stopper has become a firm fan's favourite since he made the switch to Berkshire in 2015, and his name is often heard ringing from the stands on matchdays.

The spokesman added: "Tomorrow, we welcome Nottingham Forest to Madejski Stadium and we fully expect our fans’ exemplary behavioural record to be reinforced by the conduct of true supporters of Reading Football Club at what should be another entertaining Championship encounter.

"We remain immensely proud of our fans and the remarkable amount of time, energy and effort they put in to backing the manager, his coaching staff and the players both at Madejski Stadium and following our fortunes on the road.

"Tomorrow, we want to hear our fans back the boys and make some noise and remind everyone what supporting a football team is all about. "