READING FC and Fulham supporters vented their frustrations after tonight's clash at Madejski Stadium was abandoned at half time due to fog.

The teams battled for 45 minutes in poor visibility and conditions and were locked at 0-0 going into the break.

But even though the fog appeared to lift during the interval, an announcement was made over the PA system informing supporters the game had been called off on the advice of referee James Linington and his assistants.

That was immediately greeted by an angry chorus of 'you don't know what you're doing' from both sets of fans who clearly felt conditions had improved.


Both managers were also consulted at half time and twice during the match itself.

The Chronicle understands Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic was keen to call the game off, while Jaap Stam was eager for play to continue.

However, officials judged the safety of the players and also of travelling fans heading back to London gave them no choice but to halt proceedings.

The match will now be replayed at a date yet to be arranged.


Revenge was very much on the agenda for the Royals following their 5-0 battering at Fulham at the start of the month.

Stam's men were also seeking a sixth successive home victory to maintain their promotion push.

Royals' boss made two changes from the side that defeated Norwich City 3-1 on Boxing Day.

Paul McShane damaged his wrist in that game so dropped to the bench, with George Evans taking his place in the staring line-up.

It also meant a tweak in formation that saw Joey van den Berg take McShane's place in central defence and Evans slot into the holding midfield position.


Callum Harriott, whose blistering third goal sealed Monday's victory, was also given the nod ahead of Roy Beerens in a left wing-back role after Stam opted for three central defenders, with Garath McCleary up front with Yann Kermorgant.

Meanwhile, Fulham named former Reading loanee Lucas Piazon in their starting X1, though there was no sign of on-loan striker Chris Martin following rumours he has demanded a return to parent club Derby County.

Martin has been a thorn in Reading's side on countless occasions in the past, scoring twice in their 5-0 victory at Craven Cottage at the beginning of the month.

That shock hammering for Royals came in an impressive run for Slavisa Jokanovic's side, who arrived with just one defeat in their previous nine games.

Reading started on the front foot and saw their penalty appeals rejected in the third minute when Micahel Madl clattered into Harriott, but Linington turned the other way.

The Cottagers hit back two minutes later, but a strong run by Ryan Fredericks was halted by some fine defending by Liam Moore.

Fredericks then appeared to lose his rag following a handball in the fog that Linington spotted and rewarded with a yellow card.

Royals, thhougth, should have taken the lead with 11 minutes gone when Kermorgant's superb pass put McCleary one-on-one with David Button.

But the Fulham stopper made himself big and get a vital touch on McCleary's shot which took it yard past the post.

With the fog becoming thicker by the minute, Button also had to be alert to hold a Kermorgant header10 minutes later after fine work by McCleary in the build-up.

In fact, visibility became so poor that Linnington was twice forced to stop play to consult with his assistant as well as Stam and Jokanovic, before deciding to carry on – a decision warmly welcomed by both sets of fans.

Yet clear-cut chances were few and far between until Royals went close to breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half time.

The ex-Charlton midfielder showed quick feet to beat two players, only to see Button tip his powerful 25-yard drive around the post at full stretch.

Sadly, Harriott appeared to pull a hamstring while taking a shot and had to go off, with McShane coming on to take his place.

The players were barely visible as they headed for the tunnel at the half-time break and, even though the fog temporarily lifted, Linington had seen enough and the game was abandoned before it could restart.

Reading are back in Championship action on Monday when they go to Bristol City (3pm ko).

Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter (c), Blackett, L.Moore, Van den Berg, Evans, Kelly, Williams, Harriott (McShane 45), McCleary, Kermorgant. Subs not used: S.Moore, Obita, Cooper, Beerens, Swift, Samuel.

Fulham: Button, Fredericks, Malone, McDonald, Cairney, Ayite, Ream, Johansen, Madl, Piazon, Aluko. Subs not used: Bettinelli, Odoi, Parker, Smith, Sigurdsson, Christensen, Sessegnon. Booked: Fredricks 9.

Referee: James Linington.