Sunderland release statement after stadium is redecorated with Newcastle United banners

Sunderland have issued an apology to supporters after allowing the Stadium of Light to be redecorated with banners for bitter rivals Newcastle United.

The two sides face off in the FA Cup third round on Saturday afternoon and it promises to be a fiery affair.

It'll be their first showdown since Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League in 2016. Ahead of the game, Magpies supporters were allowed to refit Sunderland's £600 corporate area.

Club chiefs gave the sign-off on banners, which were black and white and featured messages aimed at Sunderland.

Among the messages displayed were: "Keep the black and white flying high," a mockery of Sunderland's "Keep the red flag flying high" anthem.

Mackem greeting 'Ha'way' was also crossed out for the Geordie greeting of 'Ho'way'.

Behind the bar were "Cheer Up" signs. That's in reference to a song sung by Newcastle fans aimed at former Black Cats manager Peter Reid.

The full song is: "Cheer up Peter Reid, oh what can it mean to a sad Mackem b*****d and a s**t football team."

Images have gone viral on social media and Sunderland have decided to take the banners down and called the incident a 'serious error in judgement'.

Sunderland rolling out the red carpet for the visiting Newcastle fans. Unforgivable. pic.twitter.com/wv0j4zNwFR

— The72 - We Love the #EFL (@_The72) January 4, 2024

A statement from the club reads: "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."

Sunderland and Newcastle's last meeting in the Premier League ended in a 1-1 draw.The FA Cup third round begins on Thursday evening when Crystal Palace take on Everton at Selhurst Park.