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VIDEO: Reading fan makes plane gestures at Cardiff supporters before getting ejected

Reading fan makes plane gestures at Cardiff supporters, before getting ejected by stewards and security during last night’s Championship clash.

Footage was uploaded to social media showing a match attendee appearing to make airplane gestures in the away end – thought to be a direct reference to the Emiliano Sala’s tragic demise in a plane crash.

Many Cardiff fans could be heard shouting and booing in his direction with one asking how he was getting away with it.

A short time later, stewards were then seen speaking to the fan before taking him by the arms and escorting him out of the ground.

WalesOnline‘s David Owens, who was at the game, said: “I heard a commotion and the home fans were all stood up gesturing towards the away end. I looked at the away end there’s a bloke stood up pointing towards the home fans and appearing to do aeroplane actions.

“Most of the Ninian Stand stood up shouting at this guy and urged stewards to get get involved.”

This isn’t the first time this gesture has been made at Cardiff fans, after three Southampton fans taunted and mocked the death of Sala in February last year. All three were fined over £500 and one was given a four-year football banning order.

Hampshire Constabulary’s football officer Andrew Darbyshire said the minute’s silence before the Southampton game was “impeccably observed” but the three men were a “small minority whose behaviour goes over the line”.

Each man admitted using threatening, abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, making it an arrestable offence.

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That incident completely changed the atmosphere, however whilst many were riled up over what happened last night, fans also could be heard paying tribute with “Sing a Song for Sala”.

Hours before the Reading fan makes plane gestures, Cardiff made an announcement, stating that they were launching the Emiliano Sala Memorial Trust after months of planning with Sala’s family.

The two sides played each other in the FA Cup last Saturday, however was left marred after a controversial PA announcement asked away supporters to stop their “discriminatory” chanting.

Cardiff released a statement demanding an apology from Reading for claiming their fans had been labelled as racist, and said they would welcome an investigation into the protocol of using a PA announcement.

Thames Valley police arrested four Cardiff fans for “alleged racially aggravated abuse”, all were later released under investigation.

Reading’s statement on Tuesday backed their decision to report “two isolated incidents of discriminatory abuse”.

It continued: “As a result of a statement taken by the police that afternoon, it was deemed there was sufficient evidence to arrest four Cardiff City supporters for alleged racist chanting under the Football Spectators Act. To justify any arrest, there needs to be reasonable grounds.

“These alleged incidents continue to be fully investigated by the Thames Valley Police and we will continue to assist the authorities with these investigations.”

The Welsh club said: “Language could be heard taking place between fans of both clubs and was of an anti-Welsh/anti-English nature

“We also question (Reading’s) protocol and procedure on the day and welcome a full investigation into its use for the benefit of both our clubs and indeed British football.”

Reading added: “We would like to apologise to all supporters of Cardiff City Football Club who played no part in any discriminatory abuse and feel that their character has been blemished unwarrantedly by the announcement which was made over the PA system at Madejski Stadium.

“Reading Football Club are liaising with the relevant football authorities to consider how football-wide protocol issued to us was implemented in this instance and we will review our procedure regarding public matchday announcements of this nature accordingly.”

“Discrimination of any form is not ok and all supporters who visit Madejski Stadium are reminded that instances of discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated.”

The Football Association is investigating and has asked both clubs for their observations.

The two sides face each other for the fourth time this season in an FA Cup replay on Tuesday the 4th of February. Let’s hope it will be a trouble-free evening!

There was plenty of reaction as the Reading fan makes plane gestures at Cardiff supporters…

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