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Station clash SAFC fans rebailed
All 44 football fans arrested after a clash with police have been rebailed.
Supporters suspected of involvement in violence after a Sunderland AFC pre-season friendly on August 8, must now wait until at least December 21 to find out if they will face court.
And it means some Black Cats fans caught up in the incident at Newcastle Central Station will stay temporarily banned from the Stadium of Light – despite not yet being charged.
The national Football Supporters' Federation (FSF), which has taken up the fans' case, said those who had their season tickets deactivated while the investigation remained open would have to suffer missing more games than they should have to.
FSF spokesman Peter Daykin said: "Most of the fans have lost about 100-worth of football with no comeback, while the club has ignored the principle of natural justice, that someone is innocent until proven guilty.
"And there's nothing to say that in December the police won't do exactly the same and rebail people for another couple of months."
Sunderland AFC has previously said that anyone arrested for football-related violence automatically has their season ticket suspended until the result of the investigation is known – as stated in the rules when tickets are bought.
The club also said that safety and security of supporters and staff is paramount and the terms and conditions of issue of season tickets state they can be removed at any time.
More than 3,100 football fans of clubs across Europe have signed a petition on the FSF website calling for club chairman Niall Quinn to reinstate those already battling to clear their names with Northumbria Police.
They include football pioneer Brian Lomax, who received an OBE for his services to the sport. Mr Lomax, a founder of the very first supporters' trust at Northampton Town in 1992, said: "I signed the petition because it seems to be right."
At least three SAFC fans were hospitalised following the incident at the Central Station, as they returned from the match in Edinburgh.
Northumbria Police claimed supporters were intent on causing trouble and had pre-arranged a city-centre fight with a gang attached to Newcastle United FC.
But the Wearsiders say they were innocent and police mismanaged the situation and used excessive force.
An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation cleared the force, but was slammed by the FSF as inadequate for not taking statements from witnesses.
An official complaint was made about the IPCC report, but is on hold while the criminal cases continue.
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Weather for Sunderland
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
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Sunny
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
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