Sunderland AFC apologises after rebranding bar in black and white
"Sunderland AFC acknowledges that a serious error in judgement was made"
Last updated 4th Jan 2024
Sunderland AFC has issued an apology after rebranding one of its stadium bars with black and white signs.
Black Cats fans have reacted with fury after images emerged online of one of their stadium's bars being rebranded with black and white signs ahead of an FA Cup clash with local rivals Newcastle United.
The pictures show the Black Cats Bar at the Stadium of Light with a sign saying "Keep the Black and White Flying High" and "We are United".
Sunderland's motto "Ha'way the lads" in red has been replaced with the subtly different Geordie battle-cry, "Howay the lads", in black.
The bar has been designated as a corporate hospitality section for Newcastle fans coming to the FA Cup clash on Saturday lunchtime.
Earlier, Sunderland fans expressed their fury at the welcome their bitter rivals would be given at the first derby game in almost eight years.
The long-standing A Love Supreme fanzine tweeted: "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 #SAFC."
On the Ready to Go message board, fans called the rebrand a disgrace and scandalous.
One Sunderland supported said: "I was looking forward to Saturday and that's been ruined by these idiots."
Some 6,000 Newcastle United fans will be at the 48,000-capacity Stadium of Light.
Police have instructed all visiting fans to use designated coaches to get to the game, banning them from making their own way on public transport, to ensure their safety.
Sunderland AFC have now confirmed they will be taking down the signage
The long-standing A Love Supreme fanzine tweeted: " 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 #SAFC."
Sunderland AFC have now confirmed they will be taking down the signage, releasing the following statement:
"Sunderland AFC acknowledges that a serious error in judgement was made in relation to Black Cats Bar earlier this afternoon."
"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."