05 January 2024 , 17:30
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Sunderland fans have lamented the actions of their board, warning they face ridicule for decades to come.
The Black Cats allowed Newcastle to take over areas of their hospitality and the whole of the North Stand. They have also allowed the Magpies to redecorate, installing black and white signs and logos in the Stadium of Light.
One sign had the Mackem greeting 'Ha’way' crossed out and replaced by the Geordie version 'Howay'. Another behind a bar mocked the Sunderland anthem “Keep the Red Flag flying high”, instead being changed to: “Keep the black and white flying high.”
There were also “Cheer up” signs behind the bars, in tribute to the Toon song: 'Cheer up Peter Reid, oh what can it mean to a sad Mackem b****** and a S*** football team'. The decision to give Newcastle permission to do that has been met with dismay by Sunderland fans.
Former Sunderland star Marco Gabbiadini told BBC Sport: "This will be mentioned in 50 years time. It's embarrassing." A fan added: "Whoever is making the decisions at the top of SAFC are so out of touch with the fan base it’s unreal. Tone deaf. Disgusting."
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A second said: "Fair play to the person who leaked those photos. At least someone recognised the idiocy of it. If someone doesn't lose their job over this then something is wrong. How on earth can anyone with any basic football knowledge think this was a good idea."
A third concluded: "Don’t think the club realise how much of a mistake decorating the stadium with Newcastle stuff is. Any good will they’ve developed from the results on the pitch/ getting us back into the Championship could genuinely be completely gone especially if we lose on Saturday."
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The signs were those supporting the Magpies (@Nusc2023/Twitter)While Sunderland fans reacted with horror, Newcastle fans were overjoyed at the incident. One fan said: "Absolutely right. They should show willing to their bigger neighbours."
Another added: "Can’t fault the hospitality of our hosts this weekend." While a third said: "That’s how it should be… you’d roll out the red carpet for a visit from the king, so the same should be done for footballing royalty."
A fourth added: "Just a lower league minnow rolling out the red carpet for the big Premier League hitter coming to town for a one in a generation glamour FA Cup tie. Nice of them to give #NUFC the home dressing room too, touch of class."
Sunderland chiefs released a statement on Thursday to apologise for the decision to give Newcastle permission to put up their signs. A club statement revealed a review is underway to determine what action needs to be taken.
It read: "We apologise to our fans for the understandable concern they have fairly voiced in response and this sentiment is shared by the Club’s Ownership Group and Board of Directors, who have requested an immediate review is undertaken to determine how this process unfolded.
"A direct decision has also been taken by the Ownership Group and Board of Directors to return the space to its original state and we once again apologise to our supporters that this was not addressed sooner."