Reading Roars!

Reading FC have issued a statement in support of Stephen Hunt who controversially clashed with Chelsea keeper Petr Cech during the Premiership clubs’ famous encounter last Saturday. Here it is in full:

Reading Football Club has strongly defended Stephen Hunt following allegations that he deliberately injured Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech during Saturday’s game at Madejski Stadium.

We reiterate Steve Coppell and Stephen Hunt’s post-match comments that there was absolutely no intent to injure Petr. We firmly believe that the collision was an unavoidable accident, a view which is supported virtually without exception by independent media observers.

We respect the right of Chelsea Football Club to ask the Football Association to review the incident, and we would fully co-operate with any inquiry that may take place. We have nothing to hide and believe that all the evidence fully vindicates Stephen Hunt.

We would also like to send our sincere wishes to Petr Cech for a full and speedy recovery.

Manager Steve Coppell said, “We support Stephen 100%. He is a fair and honest player, and anybody who knows him would agree that he is not the kind of person to hurt Petr Cech on purpose. We hope Petr makes a full recovery and is back playing soon.”

Stephen Hunt said, “I can guarantee that I did not attempt to injure Petr, and I am very upset that the collision has resulted in such a bad injury.

“When Petr slid in to collect the ball, our momentum meant that a collision was unavoidable. I think the TV pictures show that the collision was a complete accident, and I’d like to think that my team mates and opponents throughout my career in football would say that I’m not the kind of person to deliberately hurt an opponent.

“Serious injury is the worst part of football and I feel terribly sorry for Petr. I have written to him to wish him a full recovery.”