Bradford City are holding talks with Kick It Out after a supporter was arrested on suspicion of indecent or racist chanting towards Reading’s Garath McCleary during the visitors’ FA Cup defeat at the Madejski Stadium on Monday.
Bradford lost 3-0 in the sixth-round replay, which ended with a pitch invasion by the home fans during which a flare was thrown into the away end.
The match was marred by the incident of alleged racism towards McCleary shortly before half-time as the winger prepared to take a corner in front of Bradford supporters. A 36-year-old man from Bradford was ejected from the stadium and arrested by Thames Valley police and has been bailed until 16 April.
A Bradford statement read: “The club has been made aware that a supporter situated in the away end at the Madejski Stadium during Monday night’s FA Cup quarter-final replay was arrested for alleged racial abuse towards Reading’s Garath McCleary. Bradford City do not condone racism or any other form of discriminatory behaviour whatsoever. In addition, Bradford City remains in dialogue with Kick It Out and the Bradford Hate Crime Alliance, who offers support to the club on matters of this nature.”
Rishi Jain, Kick It Out’s Football League clubs development officer, said: “We must praise Garath for immediately reporting the incident, the match officials for their speedy response in relaying the relevant information to Reading’s stadium security staff and the subsequent action taken by the club and the police to detain the perpetrator. This is a clear example of why the relevant processes are in place for reporting and further proof that when they are followed from start to finish, how effective they can be.”
Jain said his anti-discrimination organisation was willing to help: “Since the incident we have been in contact with the Football Association, both Reading and Bradford City to offer our assistance on the matter, and have extended our support to Garath via his club.”
The FA will contact Bradford and Reading to seek their observations regarding the pitch invasion at full-time. A man also entered the pitch during the second half, running around and attempting front flips before being restrained by stewards.
During the pitch invasion at full-time a flare was thrown into the away end. A Reading statement read: “The majority of supporters on the pitch were peaceful, however we were appalled to see an item thrown into the away end. We would ask supporters to help us identify the person in question in order for the police to take up the matter and for the club to apply a stadium ban. This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable.”
