Alan Shearer could not ‘believe’ what Sunderland did in the build-up to the weekend’s FA Cup clash with Newcastle United.
Sunderland endured their first Wear-Tyne derby defeat since 2011 on Saturday afternoon.
The Black Cats were thrashed 3-0 on home soil – a defeat that topped off a rather horrendous week on Wearside.
There had been plenty of excitement around the derby since the two sides were drawn against each other in December.
However, Sunderland quickly began to frustrate fans when they allowed the Magpies to take 6,000 tickets for the FA Cup third round – meaning they would take up the whole of the North Stand.
Season-ticket holders were force to move, while it was confirmed that the Newcastle fans would be given the Black Cats Bar too.
Matters were only made worse when photos surfaced of Newcastle decorations in the bar last week.
Sunderland memorabilia had been removed and was replaced with signage such as ‘keep the black & white flying high’ and ‘howay the lads’.
Social media went into a frenzy as supporters lashed out at the club, while the photos even made the national news.
The Black Cats were eventually forced to take the decorations down and put out a statement of apology.
Newcastle United fans certainly found the whole thing entertaining, while Wearsiders were left humiliated.
Alan Shearer has addressed the incident and admitted that he couldn’t ‘believe’ what had happened at the Stadium of Light.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, the former striker said: “Sunderland rolled out the red carpet all week for the Geordies, they wanted the Stadium of Light to feel like home for Newcastle. They certainly did that. They allowed 6000 fans in and they had a great time.
“Sunderland did that themselves. When I saw those pictures I thought, oh some of the Geordies have broken into the Stadium of Light and decorated the room that was going to be theres. Sunderland Football Club actually did it themselves.
“Can you believe that? You couldn’t make it up.”
When will Sunderland take action?
It is almost a week on from when the embarrassing photos of the Black Cats Bar emerged, followed by Sunderland claiming there would be an ‘immediate review’ undertaken.
We are yet to here of anyone taking responsibility or being sacked as a result, and it pretty much seems like the club are looking to sweep it under the rug.
The clip of Alan Shearer practically laughing at us is humiliating, and certainly only makes their win sweeter for them.
We can’t forget what happened in the lead-up to the derby, and while it was a poor performance on the day that cost us, our board tried their best to give the Mags a major advantage away from home.