JAAP Stam revealed Reading FC were prepared to continue playing through the fog before referee James Linington abandoned tonight's Championship clash with Fulham at half time.

Royals boss Stam confirmed he had already completed his half-time team-talk with his players before Linington entered the dressing room to confirm the match had to be stopped.

The decision infuriated both sets of supporters as the fog appeared to have lifted during the interval. 

"They called us in at half-time," stated Stam. "We had already done the team-talk and the referee came in and basically told us what they were going to do.

"He said that the linesmen agreed that they couldn’t see over the other side of the pitch and they didn’t want to take that risk.

"If there was an offside or tackle on the other side of the pitch it was hard to make a decision.

"We can say we want to play, but if the referee makes that decision to call it off there's nothing we can do, so we play again."

Neither side managed to break the deadlock during the first 45 minutes, though Royals went close on two occasions.

But Garath McCleary failed to beat David Button when clean through on goal and Callum Harriott saw a stinging effort superbly saved by the Fulham keeper.

Sadly, Harriott appeared to pull a hamstring in the process and is a doubt for Monday's clash at Bristol City (3pm ko).

Stam added: "It's disappointing because I think we were doing well, we started well and we started aggressively. 

"We didn’t play how we normally play and I think Fulham were quite surprised in how we played.

"I’m disappointed we couldn’t finish the game today because you want a result today rather than play again in a couple of weeks as it’s already a busy schedule."

Stam also sympathised with supporters, who greeted the PA annouoncement with a chorus of 'you don't know what you're doing.'

"I understand why the fans were disappointed because they wanted to see us play," added the Dutchman.

"The referee was honest with us, he said on the pitch you could see everything but from the sidelines it was difficult.

"But I think they needed too make the decision before we go out there and play.

"For me, this is the first time it has happened in my career."