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Fans traumatised as they watched supporter 'die'
Black Cats fans needed counselling after witnessing traumatic scenes during a flare-up with police, according to a supporters' rights group.
They sought help after seeing what they feared was a fellow supporter dying in front of them, from head injuries he received during the controversial incident at Newcastle Central Station, said the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF).
At a press conference, the FSF, a national group based in Ashbrooke, Sunderland, also revealed that two of the three fans who needed hospital treatment are considering legal action against Northumbria Police about injuries received.
One supporter – the one fans had seen lying on the ground – is said to have needed reconstructive surgery and another has been readmitted to hospital.
FSF chairman Dr Malcolm Clarke said: "There is no suggestion that these injuries were caused by anything other than by police batons to the head or by police dog bites.
"This was an extremely unusual situation in this country.
"We are normally used to dealing with these situations abroad, such as in Rome and Belgium, where there were serious injuries to supporters caused by the use of police batons."
Since the incident, which happened when Sunderland AFC fans returned from a pre-season friendly in Edinburgh on August 8, there has been a war of words between the force and supporters.
Both sides have accused each other of provoking the violence which occurred. Police also claimed Sunderland and Newcastle hooligans had pre-arranged a fight in the city.
After an initial assessment of the incident by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), North East Commissioner Gary Garland declined to investigate further and cleared the Northumbria force of blame.
However, the way the assessment was done has been criticised by the FSF, which also questioned the legality of its decision.
Dr Clarke said there was still a "huge gulf" in the police account of the disorder and witness statements obtained independently from fans.
Dr Clarke also said questions remained about the police response to injured supporters who urgently needed medical help.
He said that instead of letting Northumbria Police carry out its own investigation, it should be done by a new IPCC commissioner who does not "have a relationship" with the force.
Alternatively, a different constabulary should carry out the inquiry, and include witnesses' statements as evidence, he said.
Dr Clarke added: "That's the only chance of there being an impartial investigation which will command the confidence of Sunderland supporters and members of the public."
The FSF is considering legal advice on how to achieve its wishes.
"All we want is to get to the truth," said Dr Clarke. "That has been made more difficult by the IPCC, but not impossible."
An IPCC spokesman today said: "We note Dr Clarke's comments, but Mr Garland stands by what he has said publicly.
"Given the evidence seen by the IPCC as part of its independent assessment we are content for the matter to remain with Northumbria Police."
Chief Superintendent Neil Mackay, of the force's Operations Department, said: "An independent assessment has been carried out by the IPCC which concluded officers did no wrongdoing, and in fact showed courage when faced with such violence.
"The IPCC is a fair and independent body, not connected with any police force, and we fully respect their judgment on this matter.
"An internal Northumbria Police investigation is now being carried out."
Fans questioned by police during match
The Football Supporters' Federation says it has received complaints about police actions at SAFC's home game against Chelsea.
The organisation said some Black Cats fans claimed they were taken from their seats down to the concourse, where they were directed to say their name and address while being recorded on video. They alleged officers would not tell them what it was for.
Supt Steve Neill, of Northumbria Police's operations department, said: "A very small number of people were spoken to in relation to events at Newcastle Station the week before as part of our investigation."
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Weather for Sunderland
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
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