WORLD WOR 3
FA and police to probe Stadium of Light fans' pitch punch-up
FOOTBALL descended into anarchy at the Stadium of Light yesterday as hundreds of hate-filled thugs went on a violent rampage.
In the worst pitch riot ever seen in the Premier League, warring Sunderland and Newcastle yobs traded punches inside the stadium.
Police made 29 arrests and the FA promised to probe the sickening fan violence in which:
- A mounted police woman was struck by a FIREWORK.
- Another cop's wrist was BROKEN.
- Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton was pelted with BOTTLES and COINS and then incited Sunderland fans by openly kissing his club badge.
- Seats were ripped out and hurled on the pitch.
Northumbria police chief Neil Mackay said: "It is difficult to comprehend the mentality of this. There will be an inquiry to identify and arrest those who committed offences."
The FA have condemned the scenes which saw riot police in a desperate battle to regain control as warring fans fought on the pitch following the Black Cats' historic victory.
The trouble flared after Barton had to be ushered back to the Newcastle dugout by police after kissing his badge in front of home fans
Toon keeper Shay Given was then confronted by two supporters on the pitch - after Kieran Richardson fired in Sunderland's winner - before referee Mike Riley ran to the player's assistance
A pitch invasion at full-time by hundreds of supporters from both sides culminated in violent clashes as stewards and police lost control.
An investigation was immediately launched by the FA, whose spokesman said: "We will be speaking to the local police as well as both clubs for their version of events and their observations.
"Our position is clear and consistent. There is a legal process for any fans identified, arrested and charged which we respect.
"Should anybody be found guilty, we would encourage Sunderland and Newcastle to take the most stringent action possible.
"We would expect the minimum to be a lifetime banning order.
"We are appalled at such scenes and will do everything in our power to make sure that the strongest action is taken by liaising with the police and officials from both clubs."
Roy Keane, who led his side to their first home victory over Newcastle since 1980, called for leniency.
He said: "I hope they go easy on us. I hope it won't take away from what the players achieved.
"Nobody wants to see supporters on the pitch, trust me and we will focus on security.
"I'm not really sure what went on at the end. If you think I am going to sit here and criticise Sunderland supporters, then you are wrong.
"I am sure the FA will look at it but listen, I was just focusing on the game, particularly at the end.
"But football is an emotional game . . . "
As for the impact of the result, Keane said: "We have to remember how many years Newcastle and Middlesbrough have been ahead of this club.
"We can't get on the high horse and start thinking we have achieved anything, far from it. As I keep saying, it is another small step in what we are trying to achieve at the football club.
"Even people who haven't got a clue about football can see we are making progress."
Barton had three bottles thrown at him when he warmed up on the touchline. He was eventually surrounded by riot police, kissed his badge and was told to go back to the substitutes' bench.
Geordie manager Joe Kinnear claimed not to have witnessed the incident and said: "I didn't see it. I was watching the game. I always had in mind for him to play. He is a Newcastle player.
"He is in the squad. I am here to win as many games as I possibly can. He did very well for us.
Murder
"Whatever happened prior to that doesn't bother me. I didn't know there was any police there. What were they doing there?
"It is not fair. It is not Joey Barton's fault. He has been in the thick of everything this week.
"Every mass murder that's happened in this country this week, his name has been associated with it.
"I didn't see the trouble. It is up to the FA to sort it out."
Sunderland had led through a Djibril Cisse 20th-minute strike, only for Shola Ameobi's powerful back-post header to draw the visitors level 10 minutes later.
Applaud
But with 15 minutes left, Richardson's swerving peach of a free-kick flew in and Toon keeper Given was taunted by two home supporters on the pitch.
Ref Riley ran to diffuse the incident before the duo were led away. However the violence was merely suspended until the final whistle.
Sunderland fans invaded the pitch once their historic win was concluded - and ran towards the Newcastle end.
Geordie fans met them and the two sets of fans fought on the pitch. Players were still on the turf and Barton walked to applaud the away section, provoking more bottle throwing.
Riot police were outside the ground and stuck in the middle of the away section as the situation escalated.
This article has 100 comments
You sunderland fans can talk all day about what happened here and what happened there. The FACT is you started the trouble in the stadium so why don't you just deal with it.Like someone said earlier, it was on the t.v. and every one seen your appalling and threatening behavior. Then you have got Roy Keane role model,trying to gloss it over.
By alan. Posted October 29 2008 at 9:28 AM.
to all iu mags with short memories u smashed up the big market the last time we beat you at st james so stop whinging get a life and stop blaming safc joey barton is the biggest scumbag thug in britain and shud neva be allowed to kick another ball again he is trouble wherever he goes nd to the bloke in the necatle end who threatened to stub his cigarette out in a women stewards face is this your mate joey what can you expect off so called fans when the club employ thugs like barton you are an absolute disgrace take a long hard look at yourselves before pointing the finger ftm
By jan. Posted October 29 2008 at 1:15 AM.
Roy keane is still moaning about his thuggish fans,how they were just enjoying themselves,well,I think Roy can relate to that being a thug himself.To the fan who thinks sunderland has a better team,better city,better fans.lol.lol deluded or what. SATURDAY proved how bitter and twisted you are living in the toon's shadow. where you will always be.
By mandy. Posted October 29 2008 at 12:11 AM.
Sunderland fans should hang their heads in shame for the way they behaved , the truth is you have nothing to crow about!!! first time you have beat us in all these years!! ha ha im just pleased the tv showed who caused the trouble and it was not us. yes we are floundering at the moment but we regain our strength , and then it will take another 28 years for you to beat us, nufc have always been the better team , a better class of supporter,
By JANET PROUD MAG . Posted October 28 2008 at 7:51 PM.
SO this is all Newcastle fans fault?
Funny how the pitch invation was in the HOME end!
And look at the recordings and photos, the 'thugs' are in SUNDERLANd tops.
Idiots
By SEAN. Posted October 28 2008 at 4:49 PM.
The stewards at the stadium do a great job, I work at the stadium as a turnstile operator but had to go through steward training. The stewards are not allowed to lay a finger on a fan due to assult charges that fans have placed in the past. It is the polices job to sort fans, stewards can only give warnings.
so for those that blame the stewards and say get rid of the stewards then you are idiots! It is the police that are to blame, they knew something would happen after the match but they decided to have improper segregation between the 2 sides
By Gill. Posted October 28 2008 at 4:23 PM.
This guy (M Dixon) say's "Sunderland should be deducted 10 points" it's a good job they don't deduct 10 points off the SCUM they would be in debt by 4 points is that the only way your team can get above (SUNDERLAND) F.T.M.
By T Simpson. Posted October 28 2008 at 9:48 AM.
To all you blameless sunderland fans.For goodness sake you come on here protesting your innocence.It was on tv for all and sundry to see just how vile you really are.Out of all the fans that were in the stadium you lot say,it was the mags that caused the trouble,thank god for tv,just to show how nasty and vicious you lot really are.
By md. Posted October 27 2008 at 9:33 PM.
To all the Newcastle fans who think they will be praised as a result of the enquiry... you have another thing coming... the sheer fact that you ignored your FREE transport to the ground under safe conditions to get the metro and cause violence just shows what a bunch of idiots you are.
Sunderland are the better team, better club, better fans, better city, better strip....
My advice... next time.. stay at home and watch it on Sky... we don't want u ugly mags at our lovely stadium anyway...
MIKE ASHLEY IS A LEGEND!!! HAHAHA... he buggered u's good and proper!
By Helen. Posted October 27 2008 at 7:55 PM.
JUST SEEN SOME PHOTOS FROM AFTER THE GAME... WHERE WAS ALL THE POLICE ON MIDDLE OF FANS... NOT GOOD.. POLICE AT FAULT AGAIN.. IN OUR DERBY AGAINTS SWANSEA . POLICE EVERYWHERE NO WAY WOULD THE POLICE HAVE A LINE OF COUPLE POLICE... SO BLAME THE POLICE FOR THE FIGHTING NOT THE FANS... RICHIE CARDIFF BLOOOOOOBIRDS
By RICHARD EVANS ..CARDIFF... Posted October 27 2008 at 3:17 PM.
What i saw on saturday was newcastle fans coming onto the pitch to confront jubilant sunderland supporters. Seats were hurled from the newcastle end and the stewards were spat at by newcastle supporters.
1,000 newcastle supporters ignored their own clubs free transport and decided to travel by train, there was only one thing on their minds and that was confrontation. How is it that we only seem to have trouble at the derby game when its held at sunderland, it's because the travelling geordies are nothing but troublemakers. When sunderland travel to syd james's park we always follow the advice of police. You newcastle thugs should be ashamed of yourselves.
By Thomas Corkhill. Posted October 27 2008 at 2:59 PM.
Hundreds of Hooligans invading the Pitch looking for trouble ? There was no more than two Hundred ran on the Pitch at full time, not all were looking for trouble though. But at the same time i do not condone they being on the Pitch at all.
On the Day the Best team won, end of story.
By david logan. Posted October 27 2008 at 2:21 PM.
well if ya ask me i was at that match and im only 15 i witnessed a few fights after 90 minutes and as i was making my way to the game i stepped of the metro and seen nearly 100 gerdies surrounded by police just standing there shouting, to be honest the police should of escorted them to the stadium there were little kids coming of that metro and all it would of took is one mad fan to get past the police and start a riot its an appsoulute disgrace but as for the riot after the game i found it ammusing on behalf of the support and passion in northeast derby day
By tony. Posted October 27 2008 at 12:46 PM.
there is no difference between sunderland and newcastle fans and birmingham (come on you blues)and v***a fans ! there is pure hatred between them and there always will be ! the police will always have there hands full at these local derby,s and no matter what the police do there will always be fighting between them somewhere ! if you put the kick off 2am on a sunday morning they will still fight !
By ian trevis. Posted October 27 2008 at 12:15 PM.
I was at the game supporting the toon and was badly attacked for standing up and applauding as joey barton came on.my toon top was ripped and spat on and was hit with a bottle filled with urine.thats the last time i go in the sunderland end thats for sure.ban these unfriendly idiots
By Carl parker shiremoor. Posted October 27 2008 at 12:06 PM.
Great day out great result but a sad ending. The 2 Sunderland fans that taunted Given should be banned for life. The Sunderland and Newcastle fans that came onto the pitch to fight should be banned, it takes 2 to tango. I would guess however that unlike SJP our board didn't have a conga around the board room and as for Joey Barton he is going to get this treatment where ever he goes, Man City fans especially again to use another phrase If you live by the sword you die by the sword.
By Jessam. Posted October 27 2008 at 10:24 AM.
As a Sunderland season ticket holder i would just like to say the stewards are a joke.
the 2 lads that had "words" with Given just strolled past them within feet and yet they just stood their and paniced, it looked like 80% were students and had no idea what they were doing.
their should be life time bans on those who invade the pitch, which happens all to often at the SOL.
As for putting blame on 1 set of fans, they were as bad as each other.
By garry. Posted October 27 2008 at 10:18 AM.
Regarding the crowd trouble at the Stadium of Light on saturday this is not the first time Newcastle fans have been involved with pitch invasions,can anybody remember March 1974 FA cup Qrtr Final at St James' Park,Nottingham Forest then in Div 2 dared to be winning 3-1 in the second half of the game,when 100's of screaming geordies invaded the pitch assaulting Forest players in the process,the game was stopped and players left the field,after that there was only going to be one outcome,Newcastle win the game 4-3,the game was ordered to be replayed at Goodison Park where the game was a draw and then another replay again at Goodison Parkwhich Newcastle won and susequently got to Wembley to be Hammered out of sight by Liverpool.My point being,crowd violence was rewarded by newcastle being allowed to progress in the FA Cup and you can bet the same will happen this time i.e.FA will SLAM both clubs with a 10 bob fine!!! And Justice For All !! NOT !!
By Forest True Red. Posted October 27 2008 at 9:08 AM.
i worked the game-usually. It was both sets of scum supporters and normal people turn nasty just over a game. GROW UP YOU IDIOTS. Thick ans stupid football supporters. Even the the so called loyal supporters whanted to have a go at the rivals. Stop selling alcohol and limit away supporters to 1500 . Why do the police and staff get the blame????? Its the fans who fight. Employees are put at risk why? The so called fans fight and run away- we have to stay and sort the mess out.
IDIOTS
By anon. Posted October 27 2008 at 8:53 AM.
When Sunderland fans whent to St.Jimmy's Park they were set upon by a minority of scum suporters
you mags want to button up when you accuse other people of violence, you mags have employed the biggest thug in the land, and don't say anything about showing ourselves up, you idiots showed the whole of the North East up with your latest episode over KK that little to..er is a quitter like he has quit every club he has been at including England. AND TRY AND BE GATIOUS IN DEFEAT
By john porter. Posted October 27 2008 at 8:28 AM.
The police, security staff or whoever's job it was to man this game failed completely!!! It is a highly charged Derby, what were they thinking!!??Watching the game on TV you could see all the Sunderland fans out of their seats tauting players during corners etc... You have to stop it then, l know at St.James' Park you would not of been able to get away with that behaviour. It's sad that our fans ended up embroiled in this because Sunderland couldn't just celebrate their first win in 28years!! Those so called Sundreland fans that have posted here claiming the ones fighting were the most loyal of fans need to wake up, THAT has nothing to do with football!!!
By Kim. Posted October 27 2008 at 3:08 AM.
to all the scumderland supporters giving joey bartin a hard time what did he do that your supporters didnt do at the end of the game. you mackams are a joke only sing when your winning. get a grip of yourselves. its a joke how you lot behaved very mature. lets just hope you dont get your come uppins when you come to st james. oh no we are to mature for that!!! keep singing as its the 1st time in 28years and your last.
By michael thompson. Posted October 27 2008 at 1:05 AM.
Have you ever seen such pathetic excuses from these pathetic mackems,IF newcastle had done this,If newcastle had done that,they won their first game in 28 years, and still they are pathetic.They still can't comprehend if they had of been more grown up and human,which I am sorry to say they are not the game could have passed off quite well,but they are so bitter and twisted that this was never going to happen.THEY WON THEIR FIRST GAME IN 28 YEARS,but they couldn't celebrate that, they had to show how nasty and pathetic they really are. They are welcome to their label smb and I hope the F.A treat them accordingly,to show their behavior is not acceptable among decent people.
By paul. Posted October 27 2008 at 12:02 AM.
Sitting next to the Sunderland fans near their main stand, the coins started to land on us immediately after our equaliser. This continued for the rest of the game, and while we were waiting to leave. I was hit, and so were several people around me. Whilst he warmed up, several of their fans left their seats and ran down to the front to abuse Barton. This included one guy who spat over him. The stewards took them to the exit, but minutes later they had returned to their seats to continue the abuse. Barton had not done the stupid badge-kissing to provoke them. The abuse etc came first. If this had happened at St James's, they would not have been allowed to remain in the ground, and would very likely have lost their season tickets. If SAFC and Mr Keane require any assistance in ID-ing these people, I would be very willing to help them. I had a VERY clear view. No problem!
By Patto. Posted October 26 2008 at 11:24 PM.
2-1
All that the history books will remember is the score.
If Northumbria Police did there job properly none of this would have happened.
Joke Kinnear should have had more sense than name Barton in his squad, Barton is a thug and I would love to meet him in a dark alleyway, I'm sure if he got a kicking off someone the judge would be very lenient given Bartons past. He is scum of the worst kind and a coward.
FT Mitchell
By FT Mitchell. Posted October 26 2008 at 11:33 PM.
As a Sunderland fan I have to say it was a shame a great day was ruined by a small minority and Joey Barton says he wants to be a role model who for ASBOS
By little gumpazz. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:52 PM.
Sunderland should be deducted 10 points for the disgraceful behavior of there fans. Every time they score in a derby theres a pitch invasion and the club do **** all about it.
By mark dixon. Posted October 26 2008 at 8:17 PM.
what would have happened if the mags won yesterday it would have been a different story at the end of the day yous are only jealous because we are now a better team and you are bad losers and for jb wanting to be a good role model for kids what a laugh he wants sacking i wouldnt want my kids looking up to him come on safc
By daz. Posted October 26 2008 at 7:32 PM.
The sunderland fans were not trouble at all. It was the newcastle fans that were threatening, they stood at the st peter's train station screaming at passangers as they got off the metro. They are the trouble makers. As for Joey Barton, he is scum and does not deserve to play premier league football.
By anon. Posted October 26 2008 at 7:06 PM.
all those people saying those fighting arent real fans need an education lesson. your talking crap. they are oftne among the most loyal and true supporters you can meet
By true fan. Posted October 26 2008 at 6:58 PM.
The bottom line is what happened involved fighting between both sets of fans. Yes, sunderland fans fan on teh pitch and celebrated but the newacstle fans responded by running on the pitch for a punch-up. it was down to poor policing alround.
and about barton- wherever he goes he'll be pelted for the scum he is.
By ADAMW. Posted October 26 2008 at 6:25 PM.
don't blame joey barton every club footballer kisses the club badge. blame the loonies who have no love for football. get rid of the hooligans ban them for life from every football ground.
By john lowes. Posted October 26 2008 at 3:42 PM.
What can you say we totally bossed the game and won. As for the fighting well there was very little police presence separating the 2 sets of fans and this was shocking considering the hatered between us. I blame the police for not getting it right. End of the day a few daft lads gave each other a clipping and a few seats were tore up.............big deal we always win 2-1
By Ian. Posted October 26 2008 at 3:56 PM.
TYPICAL ' MAN U MENTALITY ' FROM KEANE
HATED HIM BACK THEN HATE HIM STILL
By ROBBO. Posted October 26 2008 at 3:25 PM.
Y is this any of JB`s fault he needs to warm up so he warmed up yes in front of scumderland fans but where else was he supposed to do it, he was hit with coins and bottles but will anything be done i think not because he is Joey Barton and he plays for Newcastle if we had been playing anyone else and he would have kissed his badge nothing would have been said does he not have a right to kiss that badge he plays for the Toon and he is just showing his appreciation for the club standing by him.Did anyone see Rooney kiss his badge??? They deserved there win but the troouble there was no need no doubt it will be Newcastles fault but wasnt it our players who were confronted by yobs i think so.
By Joanne. Posted October 26 2008 at 3:01 PM.
I suggest Sunderland should pay the same penalty as Newcastle did after their famous pitch invasion after the 1990 play-off semi at St James... ie, absolutely nothing at all.
A bunch of complete tossers invading the pitch, then fighting with another bunch of complete tossers.
Funny, never any trouble after any of the various draws between the sides, or after various Newcastle wins at Sunderland, but as soon as Sunderland win one - there's trouble... Couldn't be a case of bad losers, could it?
As for all the Newcastle fans talking down Sunderland supporters and thugery, just last week we had Mags on the Sunderland forums talking with pride about how they 'took' the Fulwell in the late 80s. Anyone with pride in that (or in what went on yesterday - both ours and theres) wants banning for life.
By Benjuk. Posted October 26 2008 at 2:41 PM.
The Sunderland supporters on the pitch at the end didn't run towards the Newcastle fans. It was mainly elated Sunderland supporters celebrating. Some Newcastle supporters came over the barrier and a few minor scuffles took place. The violence wasn't as major as it's being made out to be. Nonetheless, both sides are equally in the wrong really. No supporters should be going on the pitch.
It shouldn't however overshadow, what was a very good game, and a good win for Sunderland. Sunderland played excellent yesterday.
By Michael. Posted October 26 2008 at 2:30 PM.
Why can't these sad mackems stop blaming the mags. As one says " they came on the metro deliberately to cause trouble,how else were they going to get there.To the other sad mackems, before you call any body scum take alook in the mirror. Call yourself fans,when the enquiry ends they will see who was to blame,I think you will find they were wearing red & white not black&whiteThey should also fine your manager for his stupid comments,given his past.
By alan. Posted October 26 2008 at 2:27 PM.
Niall Quinns face said it all at the final whistle yesterday. There was no celebrations, just a look of absolute horror as the thugs of his beloved Sunderland invaded the pitch, confronted the Newcastle players and threw missiles.
On a day when it should have been all about the result it's been overshadowed by a minority narrow minded idiots.
Then for our manager to condone it, I hyave to say I'm ashamed to be a Sunderland fan today when I should be ecstatic.
If Niall Quinn and the consortium were to walk away who could blame them after yesterdays disgraceful scenes.
Hang your heads in shame, you know who you are.
By WHED. Posted October 26 2008 at 2:08 PM.
What I find totally laughable is that when Mike Ashley drank a pint in the stand at the Emirates, the Sunderland message boards went into meltdown with their fans e-mailing the FA calling for him to be banned yet when their fans (if you can call them that) run on to the pitch, confront and pelt, opposing players with coins etc they try to brush it under the carpet and Roy keane condones it, suprised? I'm not.
The whole nation seen the fans of Sunderland FC for what they are yesterday, small minded imbeciles with a massive inferiority complex.
The FA need to come down heavy on them to ensure it doesn't happen again.
By Wacky. Posted October 26 2008 at 2:01 PM.
Just another point about the policeing. I am a season ticket holder and therfore go to every home game. When i went to the newcastle games as a thew people have said there was not enough police seperating the two sets of supporters. Just a thew weeks ago when i went to a smaller derby against middlesborough (Not half as important as the wear tyne derby) there was a massive police presence much more then at the newcastle game. To me this just seem strange, there was proberly more police at the arsenal game than the biggest and most important game of the season. It just didnt make any sence trouble was brewing throughout the game. As far as joey barton agen he's the biggest thug out of everybody at the staduim itself, kissing the badge of the the fans most hated club right in there faces is asking for trouble. And the people calling sunderland fans scum only 2 fans confronted given which is wrong but it was malicious, they didnt attack him. and a thew fans ran on the pitch which is also wrong but most of them would have been kids, young ins 12 13 they werent looking for a fight it was the way the newcastle fans responded to the may i say tiny pitch invasion which caused then problem. So apart from the controversty which has been blown all out of proportion the game was brilliant Sunderland deffiently deserved to win now lets do the double over them at st james.
By michael proud sunderland supporter. Posted October 26 2008 at 1:55 PM.
Huge over reaction and press making a mountain out of a molehill.
Arrest the two nuggets who ran over to Given, ban the 20 or so who ran on the pitch at the end, (just about all of whom have already been arrested, by the way, according to chief of police) - and celebrate the best atmosphere of any derby, close on 50,000 who caused no bother and won't forget a great game.
By Steve. Posted October 26 2008 at 1:32 PM.
I was at the tyne wear derby last season at newcastle. So it is no surprise to me that the sunderland fans were throwing coins at kids inthe toon end and a womann being pushed. I was walking home passed the sunderland buses,there were three sunderland fans/men when shouting abuse, one of which proceeded to get out of the mini bus.Which I thought very brave of him, me being a woman.Had there not been a police officer there I don't know what would have happened. As for the fan laying the blame at the newcastle players for things that happened in the past, I think he should get real, I suppose sunderland players haven't done any thing wrong.If the fans had of been segregated properly, and sunderland fans stayed in there seats, it could have been avoided.
By ALS. Posted October 26 2008 at 1:24 PM.
what the few moronic fans did at the end was disgracefull , but the sad black and white scumbags need to wake up and smell the coffee . they are a terrible team and maybe by the time we play them at scumbag park we will put the final nail in their coffin . relagation looms large for this sad pathetic club
By stephen thompson. Posted October 26 2008 at 1:11 PM.
The nufc scum who came down via metro or train are just total 100% scum looking for trouble. they only did that to cause trouble. But not letting anythink spoil my day and to be hoonest hopefully we will not play you next season cause it looks like you horrible lot will get relegated..Lets pray you go down......have nice day all you safc fans
By robbo robson. Posted October 26 2008 at 1:10 PM.
Joey Barton is as low as a snakes stomach and Lord knows you cant get much lower than that. Just how many more chances are the authorities in football going to give him. Show him the door. The only unfortunate part is that he has made enough out of the game to be able to loaf around for a few years before he goes on the Dole.
By stephen smith. Posted October 26 2008 at 12:53 PM.
I was at the derby and it was those fat, drunken, pie eating Mags that started it. I'm a Sunderland fan and Newcastle fans are all thugs, even the kids, who are brought up to be thugs.
By Daniel Davison. Posted October 26 2008 at 12:52 PM.
The top and bottom of it was that a thew sunderland fans rang on the pitch to celebrate the win but the geordies were sick and wound up because sunderland where and are the better team. They just couldnt take the defeat. i was at the game and joey barton was asking for trouble he's a criminal he shouldnt even be playing football i no i wouldnt want a criminal in my team. Finally though when it did kick of there wasnt enough police there i thought there would have been loads more for the derby, fair enough they sorted it out quite quickly but they should of been ready for something like that at the end of the game.
By michael proud sunderland supporter. Posted October 26 2008 at 1:05 PM.
everyone's getting a bit hysterical here.
All it was was a few people fighting (less than 5% of all the fans in the stadium)
it was a lively local derby and because the fans are passionate about beating their rivals - it's easy to get wound up in the heat of the moment.
It's not so bad, and we don't need people who know nothing going round talking about this as though it's some major riot or that football is generally violent etc.. because it's nothing of the sort
By j. griffin. Posted October 26 2008 at 12:31 PM.
The makem fans who caused the trouble are just scum and sunderland afc should be severely punished for this! A huge fine and play their next game in an empty stadium may be an option) But will this happen I dont think so, instead poor joey barton will probably be in trouble after being pelted with bottles and coins. I was at the game and saw 6 year old toon supporters being hit by coins and also a girl in her late teens being hit punched in the back by a sunderland supporter! This is a disgrace and just shows their jealously towards the North East's No 1 city and fans, sunderland you will always be in our shadow!!!!!
By adam smith. Posted October 26 2008 at 11:58 AM.
I don't condone the violence in any way but none of it would have happened if the correct decision to enforce a life ban on the arrogant and conceted Mr Barton had been carried out. He viciously ended another players career and yet still has one himself. He then rubs everyones noses in it kissing his badge when he should be kissing ass for all eternity to make up for what he has done. His manager Joe Kinnear obviously has little understanding of the situation to make those comments. Ban Barton now its the only and the right thing to do. He wants a job i'm sure the car park needs sweeping!
By TAM. Posted October 26 2008 at 12:04 PM.
it is pointless changing the game to an earlier time as the average sunderland fan is on the dole and will be drinking from early on so it makes no difference! They are just absoulute scum!
By simon penman. Posted October 26 2008 at 12:12 PM.
fancy causing trouble at your own ground, idiot's. sunderland should have thought about things like this happening before the game and have stewards and police ready, it looked like there best chance of winning for years so should have been prepared, club and all fans causing trouble should be made to pay. good game at least
By martin. Posted October 26 2008 at 11:07 AM.
Nothing wrong with a bit of knees up now and again. We already sleep walking into a Police State, daily Police Propaganda on T.V. about how good the Police are and not what ***** they really are at times. But hey if you want more laws then go ahead, the Police can charge you for just walking pass them for no reason. As simple at that.
I mean the atmosphere at the Stadium is Stale these day compare to the days of old because fans are scare to say anything. I've seen Police heavy handle season ticket fans out of there seats because they are "Mouthy" nothing more. Nothing would have been thought of it in the past, as it was seen as a lively banter.
I could remember a time that I too could run on to a pitch at the end of the season as we thought we own the ground as our money pass through the gates every weekend.
Can the younger fans do that? **** all they can. I am now a treated as a Customer and not a Fan.
By John. Posted October 26 2008 at 11:39 AM.
The tension surrounding yesterday's game could have been diffused if someone at NUFC had apologised for last year's 'conga in the boardroom' incident, if Barton had shown some regret for putting his studs into Etuhu's groin, and if Taylor had reviewed his 'smacked backsides' comment;
these three memories have left bitter impressions on Wearsiders and although nothing can excuse the actions of a few thugs, insensitivity of this sort cannot be condoned either.
On a more positive note, I saw the game in a pub in Tynemouth and the handful of SAFC fans suffered nothing worse than mild ribbing, so it's not true to say all the fans share a venomous hatred of each other.
By Davey. Posted October 26 2008 at 11:36 AM.
Stop using Joey Barton as an excuse for thugs, the 'FANS' approaching Shay Given is Joe Bartons fault? dont think so, the scum who threw coins bottles etc can justify it by the fact that barton is a thug (of which I agree) but last time I looked two wrongs dont make a right. Roy Keane should condemn the thugs that follow the makems as should JK. You lot deserved your win but it was hardly convincing, so dont get carried away, still think you lot will be below us at the end, we have better players to come back, we can improve , dont think you lot can.
By Garymag. Posted October 26 2008 at 11:19 AM.
The level of policing was set a the level of previous years where SAFC fans were usually depressed and left the ground quietly being taunted by the NUFC fans because we were resigned to the expected defeats or draws. This time, with role reversal, SAFC fans were overly triumphant, wanting to rub it in after years of having it done to them, and the NUFC fans were overly angry at losing and having little or no experience of this before. This was bound to be the case if SAFC won and I can't see how the Police didn't plan for that possibility. They should have had yellow jackets everywhere, reduced the crowd size and had a large space between the fans with the riot control police in the tunnel ready as a deterrent, not outside the ground hoping they wouldn't be needed. Fighting, spitting and all the rest of it is appalling though and they should be banned for life whether Geordie or Mackem. It's all set up for a 'friendly' return at SJP. Not!!!
By Ancient Phil . Posted October 26 2008 at 11:19 AM.
What kind of clown is Keane ? "I'm not going to criticise Sunderland supporters" - why not you idiot ? You're supposed to a manager and a senior man in a position of responsibility and you've just seen one of the worst incidents in crowd violence in years ...
By Mark M. Posted October 26 2008 at 11:16 AM.
If you watch some of Sunderlands home games over the last year or so they've been running onto the pitch and doing other stuff when they score goals. Running onto the pitch is illegal and surely there fans should be punished for that and it was obviously going to provoke the Newcastle fans. Northumbria Police are a shambles, they don't know how to police matches properly - sometimes they just add to the violence with the way they handle situations.
By Jonny. Posted October 26 2008 at 11:28 AM.
typical safc... couldnt organise a **** up in a brewery. Never mind try and control their chavvy supporters. When will the FA take action against them.. This is definatley not the first time. It was about time they won a derby at home, maybe the mackems are just suffering from small city syndrome. Bring on st james clash!!!!
By john donnelly. Posted October 26 2008 at 10:58 AM.
Oh oh, i am being very shocked by the wiolence, i am taking my 5 kids with me to the match being very excited before the game.
one of my kids is actually wetting his pants.
By sanjay. Posted October 26 2008 at 10:56 AM.
There have always been violent scenes at Tyne Wear derbies. Look back to 1901 when there was a full scale riot. It is mainly due to the rivalry between to two cities, and the fact that the people of Sunderland have always hated that Newcastle is the regional capital. The problem has always been there. Unfortunately because football has massive coverage now it is highlighted as being a football problem. Believe me it is not. It lies a lot deeper than that.
Its diffiutcult to say as a Mag, but well played Sunderland, you deserved the win. See you at SJP in in another passionate encounter. Hopefully by then, the football club from the regional capital will be in much better condition. It really is difficult to believe we were in the second stage of the champions league just four years ago.
By London Mag. Posted October 26 2008 at 11:01 AM.
The sunderland fans invade the pitch,run towards the newcastle fans and they were congratulating their players.lol. I suppose the 2 sunderland fans confronting Given were also congratulating their players.(picture in n.o.w)Had th e sunderland fans stayed in their seats none of this would of happened.Would Roy Keane want leniency if this had of happened at any other football club. I don't think so.While I agree that BARTON deserves all the abuse he will get from fans up and down the country ,I don't agree with coins or bottles being thrown.Any fan from any club showing this behavior should be banned for life.
By aw . Posted October 26 2008 at 10:51 AM.
I cannot condone any violence at football matches these are supposed to be places that you can take your children or take your family these are mindless Newcastle and Sunderland YOBS (Not true supporters) but what I cannot understand is why a player cannot kiss his clubs badge he play's for Newcastle and Newcastle united have stood by him through all of the trouble he has been in so he feels he owes the fans and the club allot he did not give the finger he didn’t do a flying kick into the crowd and he didn’t play for Sunderland so why did the Sunderland fans make such a big deal about Joey Barton apart from they were scared of him coming on and making a difference if he played for Sunderland do you think they would of thrown bottles and spat at him NO I don't think so...
to make the point someone else made support Rugby you see people fighting on the pitch and respect the ref's no crowd trouble and people drink for some reason football attracts idiots which is ashamed for the true supporters
By keith. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:54 AM.
I think Roy Keane is right, football is an emotional game and up here in the north east when sunderland and newcastle play each other wether its at the stadium of light or st james park your goin to get bother, yeah there was a few fans out of order from both partys, but I dont think that should take away the fact that it was a good game, that sunderland deserved to win. The fans are going to celebrate which they did, some of them like I said were over the top but other then that what did any one expect? its a fierce derby game, I dont think any one wanted to shake hands with each other and I think every single sunderland and newcastle supporter will agree, everyone new what was coming as soon as Richardson scored the free kick, it just shows the passion in the north east and hopefully the FA goes easy on both clubs and lets us keep our seasons going.
By brad. Posted October 26 2008 at 10:42 AM.
I was at the game yeaterday, I'm a Sunderland fan who also has a season ticket at Newcastle. I am delighted that Sunderland won and that they played well but feel a better game would have rsulted if the wind wasn't so strong. I am ashamed of the Sunderland supporters who taunted Shay Given and ashamed of those who invaded the pitch.
Barton was taunted horibly by the Sunderland supporters, there is no excuse for throwing bottles and coins at him. Kissing his badge is hardly a hanging offence. The Barton incident is exactly what you would expect in such an atmosphere and should be forgotten about. Reluctantly I think the club must be fined for failing to control the crowd and they can then seek compensation from the police. Those from both sides who invaded the pitch should be banned. I would prefer the occasion to be remembered for Sunderland at last having looked the better side in a derby match and being worthy winners. I also believe Newcastle have quality but also too much spirit to go down. I hope when Sunderland do the double over Newcastle(!) that the St James's park officials show us how to police a game properly!
By Tony . Posted October 26 2008 at 10:05 AM.
its a kind of inbred racism... i am a stoke city fan and i see it week in week out,we are playing manchester city today (sunday) the internet sites are working over time planning all the trouble... the big question is how can we stop it...? so sad
By chris doncaster. Posted October 26 2008 at 10:03 AM.
It's the same every time the teams play each other. Singing rivalry is fine but this was always coming yesterday. I never usually miss an NUFC v Makem game away but discussed thuis with my mates and we all agreed we'd lose and it would kick off. I don't think you can blame onew particular side although running towards the toon fans is a bit like storming the alamo and bound to provoke a poor reaction.
It could have been worse - i could have been there. How come we alwyas manage this so well at SJP, is there some learning here.
By Bob. Posted October 26 2008 at 10:03 AM.
.. its a kind of inbred racism,im a stoke fan and we see it week in week out... the big question is how can we stop it...?
By chris doncaster. Posted October 26 2008 at 10:00 AM.
I stood and watched in horror from the Premier Concourse as Newcastle fans smashed up the seats and started throwing them into the Sunderland fans where young kids were sat with their families.
They then cheer that repulsive person Barton. I'd be ashamed to call myself a fan if I was a Newcastle supporter.
In the end the better team with the better fans won.
By Jack Dunphy. Posted October 26 2008 at 10:28 AM.
I would not be suprised if we had 10 points deducted and the ground closed down for a couple of games after the disgraceful behaviour by some of our fans yesterday.
The small minded mentally was all to prevalent amongst the chav element of our support and I am ashamed to support the same club as these halfwits.
By Pennywell Perry. Posted October 26 2008 at 10:26 AM.
I was at the game, and as far as I could tell SAFC fans ran onto the pitch to congratulate our players, not to fight. Not that that is ok, but surely not deserving of the 'thug' label.
Newcastle fans do indeed have short memories - not so long ago since they were tearing their own city centre apart on derby day. Pot and kettle?
By Jen. Posted October 26 2008 at 10:22 AM.
as i was at the game ,in the south east stand .next to the away fans looking down onto the pitch i had a good view of what was going on,i was watching a paticular fan who had a grey and black stripped hoody on he came from the mags side of supporters looking for trouble with the sunderland supporters and found himself in the middle of the sunderland lot looking round and seeing he was on his own sheepishly sneeked back over to his own supporters that fan being the one in the picture titled THUGS as a final comment it looked like handbags at 20 paces to me and not a decent punch thrown
By blackat . Posted October 26 2008 at 9:47 AM.
lets not give too much time to the vary small minority who marred a great sunderland victory which puts them at the top of north east football, a class above there local rivals.
By Paul. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:34 AM.
I was in the toon end at the match yesterday. The inferiority complex of the chip on shoulder mackems was unbelievable. This is more deep rooted than us being the better team for the last 20 plus years, its the fact that they are an artificial city without any identity, no cathedral, no airport no main line train station, no good shopping centre, no cinema until recently and when they go on holiday and they tell people they are from sunderland they get called geordies. No complaints with result lets hope its another 28 years. Oh and thank you for the £4.27 in loose change I collected yesterday (I hope it didnt take too much out of your incapacity benefit) which was thrown at me and the free half drunk bottles of pop along with the cigarette lighters.
By Gav. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:39 AM.
obviously all these mackem scumbags and the dog lover twisting about barton kissing a badge must think it is acceptable behaviour to throw bottles, coins, spit on players, invade the pitch and try to attack players! safc need get their act together, sort out their nugget fans and inept stewards.
By roppa. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:35 AM.
Roy Keane should be condemning this,not trying to gloss it over.Joey Barton shouldn't have done what he did either,but maybe Sunderland fans throwing bottles and coins at him are just cowards as well.
By Ann . Posted October 26 2008 at 9:43 AM.
I like the way they've labelled the fans morons what about barton stoking the fans up is he really that stupid? grown men hurling coins at bits of kids down in the south west corner both sides have idiot fans. there is no hope in life for some of these mindless idiots
By david Oakley. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:02 AM.
It was my first time to watch this derby on TV,and I really enjoyed it,but oh, why did these half wits have to destroy this wonderful match?
Roy Keane is out of order saying that he was not going to condemn Sunderland supporters,I think he should have condemned the thugs amongst both supporters.
By michael campbell. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:13 AM.
why on earth have all the police hiding out of the way under the stands for a game like this.
when it started to go wrong in the stands yesterday
this is when police came out from under the stands in force.
police should have been stood inbetween the two sets of fans from kick off.
do the police get paid a higher rate if they are called into 'action' i doubt that very much,so lets
have police out inside the ground on public view and get rid of the stewards.
By ddr. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:20 AM.
And ofcourse Newcastle have never said or done anything wrong, short memories u have.
By Brian. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:19 AM.
I was at the match yesterday and ive got to say this has been blown out of proportion, the riot police as they say are at all football games but as this was a local derby there was more at the SoL yesterday, the police have came out and said the majority of the arrests were for going on the pitch yes NUFC fans rwere ripping seats out and throwing them at SAFC fans and then trouble flared, but i have to say Northumbria police do not have a clue how to police a football match ask any northeast fan and they will tell you thay are a total shambles when trying to police a footie game
By Graham. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:15 AM.
Top and bottom of it is SAFC fans should not have surged towards NUFC Fans and no trouble would have happened so SAFC need to ban those fans and improve on ground security, JB is being used as an excuse who are the Animals? SAFC SCUM,
My cousin was attacked and he is a Steward i am SAFC through and Through you dont get attacked at NUFC and the have 50K in ground you dont get attacked at Boro SAFC fans that showed us up in public need shooting, all of these posts looking for excuses with JB etc.., are making it worse.
By Kev. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:25 AM.
I was at the game and only a handful of Sunderland supporters approached the Newcastle supporters after the game. The trouble was quite quickly dealt with by the stewards, the police just stood still. Also, this is the same police who allowed Newcastle supporters to travel to the match on the local metro trains which run between Newcastle and Sunderland, without police escort, culminating in attacks on fans waiting at stations close to Sunderland.
By Mark. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:30 AM.
Interesting Barton did exactly the same thing as Wayne Rooney yesterday but that didn't make the headlines. I dislike Barton as much as anyone but find it very amusing that other players do similar things and get away with it. The crown violence was exactly the same as when Birmingham beat Villa a few years back, (after a much longer spell as the underdog). This will always happen, you just have to hope that eventally peoples disgust of fans (and players) disrespectful behaviour becomes as strong as their disqust of drinkdrivers. Only when the people around them change their opinions will the idiots improve their behaviour.
By Louise. Posted October 26 2008 at 9:28 AM.
keane was wrong the club should be punished for not controlling thug fans
By chubbykid. Posted October 26 2008 at 8:45 AM.
this was a powder keg just waiting to happen having a seperation of just 2 rows of seats and not even a steward/policeman on every level between two 'rival' teams was a disgrace and should never have been allowed to happen im a newcastle fan and yes some of the trouble came from newcastle thugs looking for trouble and the same goes for the sunderland thugs too- football is a passionate game and touchpapers can easily be lit in a game like this - sunderland fans and newcastle fans will come on here and blame each other but the plain facts are it should never have been allowed to happen segregation is key in a tyne-wear derby and you cant blame the fans for reacting to each other when they are playing 'the enemy'
By andrew . Posted October 26 2008 at 8:24 AM.
As usual the pathetic morons from the little club down the road show just how sad they really are. This isn't the first time they have invaded the pitch, every time in the past that they have scored a goal against us they have always ran on the pitch.
Yes be happy you eventually beat us but try using some of the half a brain you have. As for Roy 'dog loving' Kean you were a thug as a player so why am i not surprised by your comments!
You deserved your win and i know it dosen't happen often but at least try to have some class and act with some kind of dignity.
By Chris. Posted October 26 2008 at 8:13 AM.
Barton did his best to wind up the Sunderland fans when warming up, but there is no excuse for throwing anything onto the pitch as a supporter.
As regards the final whistle, there wasn't more than 50 - 70 supporters on the pitch and only a small handful went anywhere near the away fans. Storm in a teacup, but I must say that the police did nothing but stood back and watched - what was that all about?
By Bill. Posted October 26 2008 at 8:16 AM.
I met the lovely Toon fans first hand at last years Unibond prem playoff final... they didn't have a game so decided to come and visit Gateshead. The entire match was about them trying to start a ruck with fans from a team/town they had no gripe with.
I can only think that a sociologist would point to tough economic conditions, the death of traditional industries and the low self esteem of working class men who feel the need to fight over territory, football, a spilt pint, a sideways glance etc., to feel masculine these days.
Very sad for Keano the Sunderland team who have worked hard to achieve this victory.
By nonleague girl. Posted October 26 2008 at 8:14 AM.
Im not going to comment on the viloence becuase I dont agree with it! Men, women and children attend football matches!! Is this were we are going now? If so, take them to rugby and watch the backside fall out of football!!!
Anyway, my point is more on Barton! I have no time for the man as it is, I think any 'normal' working man would have been sacked for what he did anyway so to still be on his wages in the 'perfect' job is just a very very VERY lucky situation for him!
But he is in this position! A position of respect, a position of being a role model (please)!!!! So what does he do on his return!!! yet again hits the headlines, for kissing the Newcastle badge!!!! Which instantly sparks anger, agression!!! Im sorry but I blame alot of what happened on him! Your a proffessional footballer! Stick to you job and not being scum bag!
By jenny. Posted October 26 2008 at 7:46 AM.
Surprise, surprise - Joey Barton is the same vile individual as he has always been. It's all well and good for a PR company to spoon-feed him the 'last chance', 'role model' garbage, but as soon as he's left to think for himself, he's back disgracing himself.
By Ric. Posted October 26 2008 at 7:41 AM.
I am not shocked,that their was trouble at the Sunderland v Newcastle game yesterday. It always seems that when Newcastle united are losing or things are not going the TOON,S way, that a small minority of their supporters resort to violence, as we have seen in their past history, after losing their 12 point lead, a few seasons ago ,the toon supporters even smashed up their own city centre (I won't mention the play off semi final over ten years ago the pitch invasion and again City Centre antics). A far as i can remember their has not being much trouble seen at the Stadium of Light since it was opened. It is also funny that all of a sudden the TOON are losing ,and are in the bottom three ,that Violence erupts once again .Yes it is a disgrace ,however when a player of Barton's mentality is allowed to fuel the situation even more we must ask questions as to whether he should still be aforded the lifestyle he continues to enjoy.
By MACKEM 2-1. Posted October 26 2008 at 6:35 AM.
i was dissapointed with the result being a toon fan living in australia now but it was a good game spoilt by mindless thugs.yes there is a hatred between the two sets of fans but the banter between both sets of fans is fantastic it is the mindless few that spoil it for the die hard fans and it is these fans that will end up suffering because of this mindless pitch invasion.i think any derby game should kick off at 11o'clockso there are no drunken yobs at these games.
By steve. Posted October 26 2008 at 5:46 AM.
This was a great game to watch (even as a neutral). Such trouble happens in every country and we cannot deny that, but does it really need to? Neil (above) stated that it 'surely' must be known that this game is up there with the Glasgow derby, full of 'hatred'. Why should that be? Why should there be any 'hatred' surrounding a game of football? Rivalry is a given and yes, derby matches increase the passion, where each team (and their supporters) will play hard to achieve bragging rights and shout about which is the better team. It should never be something that leads to violence, injury or even God forbid, death (which it has done many times in the past). It should never be a vehicle or excuse to hate!! Regardless of which team someone supports, a game should be attended in good spirits. Why should it be that opposing supporters cannot sit together and talk about the game with passion, without feeling the need to argue and fight. Many opposing supporters can do it. With true football fans, it shouldn't matter who supports who. It should be about how the game was played, and talking about the good and bad points afterwards in a friendly manner, because it is a beautiful game. It is a game full of skill, improvisations, mistakes and surprises. It pleases, it disappoints, it provokes discussion and yet it keeps us coming back. So yes, deal with the less than real fans and allow the majority to continue enjoying the wonder that is premier league football.
By Mark. Posted October 26 2008 at 4:23 AM.
I have said for years that away supporters should be banned from the Newcastle v Sunderland games. The hatred is so intense that for whatever reason trouble is always close to breaking out and any excuse to start it will be made.
The money wasted on policing etc is ridiculous so ban away fans. If some infiltrate, as no doubt they will, then prosecute them and ban them for life, providing they recover from the beating they would no doubt get from the home fans.
By Phil. Posted October 26 2008 at 3:37 AM.
Pls pls pls, remove this utter disgrace from football. He has been given chance after chance, something is clearly not right inside his pea brain of a head. Ok I understand patience and temper thresholds, we all have them. The thing these players need to remember is they are role models, Rooney proved yet again that he is immature, you know pre match you are in for stick especially when your situation is a delicate one. Wayne should of let his feet do the talking, instead he opted to incite and stir a potential melting pot by kissing the badge, i'm sure he'll regret that in the long run, he know's where his roots lie and that incident was only done to incite and merely express his feelings back at them. In regard to Barton, what a prat.. surely he know's this Derby game is proberly up there with your Celtic Rangers.. utter hatred, so no matter how much u are bated and abused he should know this is why he's paid so much money!!! to ignore and switch off .. Pair of Liverpool thugs! and I am from Liverpool, embarassment to us all, yet again.
By Neil Prendergast. Posted October 26 2008 at 12:31 AM.
These mindless thugs are NOT supporters, they are thugs just wanting trouble, they spoil it for REAL GENUINE FANS who are unable to get tickets for these games because the thugs have got the seats, when they're not even interested in the game, just provoking others, looking for a fight, you're a disgrace, bet your parents are well proud NOT!
By sam. Posted October 26 2008 at 1:48 AM.
Roy Keane's out of order saying what he said, from what ive seen it was the Sunderland fans that provoked & were the biggest troublemakers.
By Mem. Posted October 26 2008 at 1:56 AM.
Those few idiots that ran onto the pitch and fought each other are a disgrace to football, but dont tar everyone with the same brush. Most of us were there for the football, however it was such an emotional day for Sunderland maybe a few people did go too far. The criminal damage to the stadium is disgusting and the perpertrators should be banned for life!
By Chris Ward. Posted October 25 2008 at 10:25 PM.