League One match halted with 16 minutes left as referee makes announcement

Exeter City boss Gary Caldwell condemned further disgraceful chanting at football grounds following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Reading, which witnessed allegations of racist abuse aimed at a Grecians player from the visiting supporters. The League One encounter at St James Park was stopped in the 74th minute by referee James Durkin, who consulted with both managers and captains alongside a steward.

An announcement subsequently echoed around the stadium, confirming an incident of discriminatory abuse had occurred. A warning then followed that any additional incidents would result in the match being abandoned. Caldwell verified after the final whistle that the abuse had originated from the away section.

This marks the second such incident in three home fixtures involving visiting supporters, after the EFL Trophy clash with Cardiff City was interrupted due to discriminatory chanting from Cardiff fans.

"Racism from the Reading end towards a player on our team," he revealed regarding the incident.

"It's going to be dealt with by the referee and they're sorting all that out now.

"But too many games are getting stopped for unacceptable chanting, unacceptable behaviour and hopefully we can kick it out.

"It's not a problem in football, it's a problem in society.It happens in other sports, it happens in other places and it's incredible that it still happening in 2025. Hopefully the authorities in football can try to do something to change it.

"There's thousands of people but for me if we can identify who it is then they shouldn't be allowed in a football stadium again. We have to try and make the punishment fit the crime and there needs to be a zero tolerance to it in my opinion."

On the pitch, the match ended 1-1 once it resumed, a result that lifted Exeter to 16th, though still just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Reading took the lead after merely six minutes when they were handed their opener on a plate.

Johnly Yfeko's header back towards Joe Whitworth went horribly wrong, leaving Jack Marriott with the easiest of tap-ins.

However, Exeter responded and drew level almost instantly when Jayden Wareham, facing his former employers, reacted fastest inside the six-yard area to smash home from close quarters for his third strike of the campaign.

Pierce Sweeney and Reece Cole spurned golden opportunities to edge the Grecians in front, whilst Marriott also wasted a gilt-edged chance for the visitors as openings arrived at either end.

Yet neither team could locate the decisive goal and the contest ended honours even at St James Park.