Sunderland vs Reading Match POSTPONED

By Matt Holmes / August 25, 2012

BBC Sport. The decision was officially announced less than 90 minutes before the 3pm kick-off at the Stadium of Light. Referee Neil Swarbrick, took action at 13:45 BST when the forecast claimed the rain would not relent as the day went on. Reading FC responded on Twitter saying they backed the decision that had been made;

"Nobody arguing with the decision, a sensible choice."

BBC Sport also claimed that the decision was agreed upon by both managers Martin O'Neill and Brian McDermott. Although rain has enforced play on Wearside won't happen this afternoon, Middlesbrough's home game against Crystal Palace on Teesside will take place and at the time of writing, no heavy rain is being reported there. Speaking personally from nearby Durham, the rain has been absolutely teeming down since I woke up at 8am and has been extremely heavy and rarely stopped. A decision will likely be made next week as for the re-arranged date for when the fixture can take place. History tells us this can often be a complicated venture and it might be months down the road before the match can happen.