EFL club CANCEL friendly at 24,000-capacity stadium and spark fears over opening fixture of season

A FORMER Premier League club has deemed their own pitch unfit to host an upcoming pre-season friendly. Organisers have relocated the game to a behind-closed-doors venue due to concerns over the playing surface. Reading bosses laid a new pitch during the off-season Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Dry weather has hampered the development of the new playing surface Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Reading were due to welcome their fans back to the 24,000-capacity Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday for a run-out against Charlton. But complications with the new pitch ground staff have laid during the off-season have forced the two clubs to take drastic action. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The game will now be played at an empty The Valley – Charlton’s home ground – with both clubs streaming the match for free. Reading CEO Joe Jacobson told the club’s official website: “This is not a decision anyone at the Club wanted to make, but it is the right one. “We’ve invested significantly in providing the team with the best possible playing surface for the season ahead. “Unfortunately, the recent spell of hot and dry weather has slowed the development of the new pitch and, after taking expert advice, we’ve concluded that protecting it now gives us the best chance of having it in the condition we all want for the start of the League One campaign. “We’re grateful to Charlton Athletic for their understanding, cooperation and support in helping us rearrange the fixture. “We also thank our supporters for their patience and continued backing, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Select Car Leasing Stadium when we begin our League One campaign against Luton Town.” Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Charlton will host the pre-season friendly against Reading behind closed doors Credit: Getty Reading kick off their competitive season with a Carabao Cup first-round tie at Bromley on August 8. The pitch has just over two weeks to grow in before the Royals’ first home game of the campaign against Luton the following Saturday. Comment now