Sunderland are facing a major fans’ backlash after decking out a bar at the Stadium of Light in the colours of arch rivals Newcastle.
The sides clash on Saturday in the FA Cup third round, the first time they have met since 2016 in what is expected to be a typically hostile Wear-Tyne derby.
Newcastle have controversially been given over 6,000 tickets for the game – including a section in the stadium’s North Stand that incorporates the Black Cats Bar, an area that home fans usually gather in before matches.
If that wasn’t galling enough for Sunderland supporters, pictures have now emerged showing visiting fans who shelled out £600 per person for tickets in the bar have been rewarded by the removal of Sunderland signage and the erection of various Newcastle slogans.
https://t.co/47TKpQECqh pic.twitter.com/KMV50cMtoF
— James Copley (@JamesCopley_) January 4, 2024
The images have not gone down well with many fans accusing owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus of failing to grasp the hostility towards Newcastle, and putting profit before heritage.
Sunderland fans group, the Red and White Army, who get regular access to the club’s board, have expressed the feelings of many Wearsiders, telling those responsible they should “hang their heads in shame”.
Whoever it is at SAFC that thinks rebranding the BCB for NUFC fans should hang their heads in shame. How can they be so out of touch with their own supporters? Take them down now! We won’t give up trying to engage with SAFC but it’s proving harder to stomach with moves like this.
— Red & White Army (@RedAndWhite2017) January 4, 2024
Louis-Dreyfus also came in for criticism recently for sacking the popular Tony Mowbray and replacing him with former Rangers boss Michael Beale.
