Sunderland statement

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 7:30 pm

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/fo ... re-3893862

First, I would say I do not condone that behaviour, and anyone identified should be banned.

Second, I would say Sunderland shouldn't be shoving away fans into the very top of the arena. And how do they get away with that?

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:06 pm

They've known about this issue with away fans for quite a while and don't appear to have taken any significant measures to address the problem eg netting, moving away fans etc

GodIsADeeJay81 · Post by **GodIsADeeJay81** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:06 pm

Newcastle have done it for years and cite something to do with safety or some other guff.

CleggHall · Post by **CleggHall** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:15 pm

Both Sunderland and Newcastle treat away fans badly locating them in high places well away from the action. Sunderland only opened 2 turnstiles on Saturday and many Burnley fans missed the kickoff.

4midable · Post by **4midable** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:15 pm

Dont seat fans like that then

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:19 pm

CleggHall wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:15 pm
Both Sunderland and Newcastle treat away fans badly locating them in high places well away from the action. Sunderland only opened 2 turnstiles on Saturday and many Burnley fans missed the kickoff.

Just for accuracy, there were actually 2 sets of turnstiles available, each with 2 entrances. Not saying that was sufficient for 2800 fans!

Whitgord · Post by **Whitgord** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:22 pm

It’s such a poor reflection on society when we are blaming Sunderland for putting our fans above theirs and can’t grasp the fact that it is stupid and selfish people who throw things at other people from whatever direction.

wilks_bfc · Post by **wilks_bfc** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:37 pm

Where is the statement Sunderland have made? That article doesn’t actually say much

wilks_bfc · Post by **wilks_bfc** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:45 pm

Found it

Sunderland AFC strongly condemns the conduct of a small number of visiting supporters during Saturday’s fixture against Burnley.

Several fans required medical treatment after being struck by missiles thrown from the away section and we are currently supporting those impacted by this completely unacceptable behaviour.

Following the Club’s opening-day fixture versus Coventry City, a range of additional safety measures were introduced.

These included the searching of all away fans upon entering the stadium, increasing the stewarding capacity in the North Stand, improving our CCTV network and visiting other EFL Clubs to explore further solutions.

Comprehensive long-term measures were set to be introduced ahead of the 2023-24 season, but following Saturday’s events, we acknowledge that action must now be taken without delay.

We will meet with supporters’ groups on Wednesday to fast track the implementation of these additional measures and a further update will be communicated to all supporters in due course.

SAFC would like to thank fans for their continued patience and support.

lakedistrictclaret · Post by **lakedistrictclaret** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:49 pm

That statement suggests that they are already searching EVERY away fan.

They didn't search me!

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:51 pm

Whitgord wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:22 pm
It’s such a poor reflection on society when we are blaming Sunderland for putting our fans above theirs and can’t grasp the fact that it is stupid and selfish people who throw things at other people from whatever direction.

Don't think that it's a case of blaming Sunderland but when there appears to be a re-occurring issue, surely they have a responsibility to attempt to address the issue.

conyoviejo · Post by **conyoviejo** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:54 pm

"Searching the away fans."

That's a good one..I'm sure the Stewards are going to make the fans turn their pockets out and give all their coins to them. Allegedly loads of them are going into the game drugged up. Maybe the Stewards should give them a drugs test as well.

Just get the morons found and give them a lifelong ban.

Burnley1989 · Post by **Burnley1989** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:55 pm

Whitgord wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:22 pm
It’s such a poor reflection on society when we are blaming Sunderland for putting our fans above theirs and can’t grasp the fact that it is stupid and selfish people who throw things at other people from whatever direction.

I agree, but you have to put preventative measures in place when it’s happening regularly, you unfortunately can’t rely on everyone have a full head of brain cells

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:59 pm

conyoviejo wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:54 pm
"Searching the away fans."

That's a good one..I'm sure the Stewards are going to make the fans turn their pockets out and give all their coins to them. Allegedly loads of them are going into the game drugged up. Maybe the Stewards should give them a drugs test as well.

Just get the morons found and give them a lifelong ban.

The Police did have a sniffer dog at the turnstiles and at least 1 person was refused entry after being 'sniffed' by the dog. Not sure just what drugs the dog can detect?

Devils_Advocate · Post by **Devils_Advocate** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 9:04 pm

lakedistrictclaret wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:49 pm
That statement suggests that they are already searching EVERY away fan.

They didn't search me!

I got searched and I didn't even go which has never happened for any other game.

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 9:18 pm

Whitgord wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:22 pm
It’s such a poor reflection on society when we are blaming Sunderland for putting our fans above theirs and can’t grasp the fact that it is stupid and selfish people who throw things at other people from whatever direction.

No, it smacks of Sunderland knowing full well there's a problem, but highlighting it when they're absolutely peed off because they chucked away a 2 goal lead. (imo)

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 9:32 pm

lakedistrictclaret wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:49 pm
That statement suggests that they are already searching EVERY away fan.

They didn't search me!

Nor me. A hint of ageism perhaps?

lakedistrictclaret · Post by **lakedistrictclaret** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 9:40 pm

Silkyskills1 wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 26, 2022 9:32 pm
Nor me. A hint of ageism perhaps?

Probably. I'm nearly as old as CT!

Middle-agedClaret · Post by **Middle-agedClaret** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 9:55 pm

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 26, 2022 9:18 pm
No, it smacks of Sunderland knowing full well there's a problem, but highlighting it when they're absolutely peed off because they chucked away a 2 goal lead. (imo)

What nonsense.
IMHO, of course.

claretburns · Post by **claretburns** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 9:55 pm

A shame the Sunderland statement doesn't mention anything of their own fans behaviour.

Middle-agedClaret · Post by **Middle-agedClaret** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 9:56 pm

claretburns wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 26, 2022 9:55 pm
A shame the Sunderland statement doesn't mention anything of their own fans behaviour.

Were they throwing missiles at Burnley fans?

MDWat · Post by **MDWat** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 10:02 pm

I wasn’t searched. Nobody was searched.

I missed the first five minutes of the game despite queueing up from 2.35pm.

It was a complete and utter shambles and I was fuming.

However, I’m also not a ****** so I didn’t throw stuff cos why the **** would you wanna do that?

jdrobbo · Post by **jdrobbo** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 10:07 pm

MDWat wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 26, 2022 10:02 pm
I wasn’t searched. Nobody was searched.

I missed the first five minutes of the game despite queueing up from 2.35pm.

It was a complete and utter shambles and I was fuming.

However, I’m also not a ****** so I didn’t throw stuff cos why the **** would you wanna do that?

Good point, very well made.

I once missed the first five minutes of a game after being stood at the turnstile for well over an hour before kick off…we won’t go there though…

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 10:13 pm

MDWat wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 26, 2022 10:02 pm
I wasn’t searched. Nobody was searched.

I missed the first five minutes of the game despite queueing up from 2.35pm.

It was a complete and utter shambles and I was fuming.

However, I’m also not a ****** so I didn’t throw stuff cos why the **** would you wanna do that?

People were certainly being searched when I went in just before 2.30pm. Maybe as it got closer to ko and there were long queues, they dispensed with the searches?

Gaia · Post by **Gaia** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 10:22 pm

It's on twitter that an 8 year old kid got hit by a coin.

what_no_pies · Post by **what_no_pies** » Thu Oct 27, 2022 12:15 am

Reports I heard were of the 8 year old getting hit by a vape stick.

Throwing stuff at helpless people is unforgivable and if identifiable on camera they ought to be given some time in prison to think about it. And never see the insode of a football stadium again.

If I see anyone throwing stuff at football id have no shame in outing them.

Morons.

Doesn't excuse anything but the management of the crowd at Sunderland was abysmal all day long.

Enola Gay · Post by **Enola Gay** » Thu Oct 27, 2022 1:16 am

The same messageboard that thinks it’s a disgrace the police didn’t trust Burnley fans to be adult enough to travel to Blackburn under their own steam also thinks it’s Sunderland’s fault for not realising that Burnley fans aren’t adult enough not to throw stuff at home fans given half a chance and an elevated position.

Don’t ever change, UTC…

Burnley1989 · Post by **Burnley1989** » Thu Oct 27, 2022 7:43 am

Enola Gay wrote: ↑
Thu Oct 27, 2022 1:16 am
The same messageboard that thinks it’s a disgrace the police didn’t trust Burnley fans to be adult enough to travel to Blackburn under their own steam also thinks it’s Sunderland’s fault for not realising that Burnley fans aren’t adult enough not to throw stuff at home fans given half a chance and an elevated position.

Don’t ever change, UTC…

Yes that’s right, because the opinion of a few and behaviour of a few is a reflection of the thousands of fans that actually attend the games

Don’t ever change….

Sottpark1 ! · Post by **Sottpark1 !** » Thu Oct 27, 2022 7:51 am

Hopefully cctv will identify the throwers and suitable action taken against them .

Cardclaret · Post by **Cardclaret** » Thu Oct 27, 2022 8:36 am

I got there about 2.15 wasn't searched nor did I see anyone searched. The turnstiles on the ticket were closed and the steward said we won't open these yet as not busy enough and was told to use another away turnstile, it took about 5 mins queuing to get in.

willsclarets · Post by **willsclarets** » Thu Oct 27, 2022 8:38 am

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 26, 2022 9:18 pm
No, it smacks of Sunderland knowing full well there's a problem, but highlighting it when they're absolutely peed off because they chucked away a 2 goal lead. (imo)

The other way to look at it, is grown men behaving like 5 year olds losing a game of snap in the away end when we were 2-0 down. I very much doubt things would’ve been thrown if we’d gone 2-0 up. Its utterly pathetic to throw anything that might injure someone who’s just gone out to watch their team play. Saying Sunderland knew full well it was a problem” isn’t the point. The disgusting behaviour of some of our fans is, I do love football but grown adults behaving like toddlers on lucozade is just sad.

wilks_bfc · Post by **wilks_bfc** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:01 pm

Sunderland have just announced further measures following a review

We have today introduced further measures to enhance fan safety at the Stadium of Light following the recent conduct of a small minority of away supporters.

This follows an engagement session with our Supporters’ Groups, who met with the Club last week to discuss and agree upon the next steps taken to address the continually escalating societal behavioural issues currently impacting SAFC and many other Clubs.

The new measures will be in place from this weekend’s home fixture versus Cardiff City and they are in addition to the operational changes made in August, which includes the searching of all away fans upon entering the stadium, increasing stewarding capacity in the North Stand and enhancing the CCTV network.

Following a request made on Thursday morning, the EFL have agreed that coins and vapes will no longer be permitted in the away section of the North Stand at the Stadium of Light.

Any visiting supporter found carrying these items will be asked to discard of them prior to entering the stadium, at which point they will be subjected to enhanced security procedures to further reduce the risk of objects entering the stadium which can be used as missiles.

This information will be clearly communicated to all visiting Clubs in advance and all vapes will be sustainably discarded, with any coins confiscated donated to the away Club’s nominated charity.

Pre-planned investment in an enhanced lighting system in the North Stand upper will also be fast tracked to further improve the effectiveness of the recently-upgraded CCTV network in identifying any anti-social behaviour.

The introduction of netting was also discussed with Supporters’ Groups, but it was agreed that netting by itself would not prevent the full range of missiles that have been thrown this season.

We will therefore be launching an engagement programme in November to ensure we work hand-in-hand with supporters to identify the best possible long-term solutions to protect supporters.

This will consider all aspects of the stadium configuration, including away fan location and the family zone, and continue to explore the viability of the installation of protective netting.

All at SAFC would like to once again thank supporters for their continued backing and we welcome further feedback upon the implementation of these new measures

Middle-agedClaret · Post by **Middle-agedClaret** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:07 pm

“the continually escalating societal behavioural issues currently impacting SAFC and many other Clubs.“

We’re all right then - it’s not football hooliganism

Nori1958 · Post by **Nori1958** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:14 pm

Good luck with stopping coins

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:14 pm

wilks_bfc wrote: ↑
Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:01 pm
Sunderland have just announced further measures following a review

Does make sense

distortiondave · Post by **distortiondave** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:17 pm

Is Sunderland already a cashless club, or is a twix at the Stadium of Light going to be a fiver?

Nori1958 · Post by **Nori1958** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:19 pm

Lancasterclaret wrote: ↑
Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:14 pm
Does make sense

No it doesn't.... Imagine searching 2000 people for small coins, almost impossible, what do they do with the cash confiscated? What if you need that cash to get home with, or food etc.

wilks_bfc · Post by **wilks_bfc** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:19 pm

distortiondave wrote: ↑
Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:17 pm
Is Sunderland already a cashless club, or is a twix at the Stadium of Light going to be a fiver?

It’s card only inside the ground

Awayfromburnley · Post by **Awayfromburnley** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:23 pm

Whilst they need to do whatever they can to help prevent idiots(and they are idiots) throwing things, how on earth to you stop coins from being taken in?

What about countless other items? What's the legality of removing money off someone?

Absolutely bonkers that morons behave, well like mornons, and 99% of people suffer.

It isn't just a small number of Burnley fans it is society that has a behaviour issue.

claretonthecoast1882 · Post by **claretonthecoast1882** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:24 pm

We went to Italy England one year and had all coins and belts taken off us.

At full time there was a pile of belts for you to find your own among

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:31 pm

Leisure wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:59 pm
The Police did have a sniffer dog at the turnstiles and at least 1 person was refused entry after being 'sniffed' by the dog. Not sure just what drugs the dog can detect?

Have it on good authority the poor lad had actually pooped his pants. A modern day tragedy.

lakedistrictclaret · Post by **lakedistrictclaret** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:31 pm

They didn't search ALL away fans when we played them, and they won't start now.
If they did search everybody for vapes and coins, it would takes hours for a full away following of 2800 to get into the ground.
It may be cashless inside the ground, but they sell programmes outside, and the programme sellers won't take cards, I wouldn't have thought.

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:32 pm

lakedistrictclaret wrote: ↑
Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:31 pm
They didn't search ALL away fans when we played them, and they won't start now.

Let's be honest: We can all pick out the d*ckheads. You're clearly not one lakedistrictclaret.

2 Bee Holed · Post by **2 Bee Holed** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:41 pm

Oy.
They searched me.

Duffer_ · Post by **Duffer_** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:47 pm

You'd like to think they have at least explored other options, including the netting we're going to be under at Sheff U on Saturday. Fully appreciate it is a poor do that a solution has to be found for this problem but what Sunderland are proposing is just bonkers.

distortiondave · Post by **distortiondave** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:48 pm

Could the away fans not be below the home fans?

wilks_bfc · Post by **wilks_bfc** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:07 pm

distortiondave wrote: ↑
Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:48 pm
Could the away fans not be below the home fans?

The away fans were initially at the opposite end. The stadium was with the facilities to reflect that.

The club then decided that they didn’t want opposition fans directly behind the goal so moved them to the current location. If they were going to move the away fans to the lower level, they may as we move them back to the original location

bigdavethemaddog · Post by **bigdavethemaddog** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:20 pm

wilks_bfc wrote: ↑
Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:07 pm
The away fans were initially at the opposite end. The stadium was with the facilities to reflect that.

The club then decided that they didn’t want opposition fans directly behind the goal so moved them to the current location. If they were going to move the away fans to the lower level, they may as we move them back to the original location

it was Martin O Neill who didnt like away fans behind the goal and requested the change like he did at Villa too

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:39 pm

You get muppets.
No one has mentioned it, as far as I can see, but about 75-80min mark, a Reading fan threw a green plastic lighter at THB I think it was, taking a free kick in that corner.
I'm sure it wouldn't have hurt him, but that isn't the point. From what is becoming a growing problem in football, with the neanderthal monkey see monkey do attitude of certain fans, including our own. How long before the FA/EFL start punishing clubs for this behaviour. Do we really want Burnley as a club, or our own fans to suffer because of the brainless few.

It's in our own hands, if we see this sort of thing going on, then get a steward, and get them kicked out. Football, and Burnley doesn't need them.

distortiondave · Post by **distortiondave** » Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:44 pm

The only way to guarantee it never happens again is to ban away fans from every ground.

Giving clubs points deductions will result in fake fans causing mischief in order to get a team relegated/win the league/whatever.