Sunderland AFC cancel number of tickets in Wolves end after they fall into hands of Newcastle fans

Sunderland AFC have cancelled a number of tickets in the away end for the season finale at home to Wolves after information suggested they had fallen into the hands of Newcastle supporters.
Sunderland's Stadium of Light.Sunderland's Stadium of Light.
Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

As a result the Echo understands Sunderland has taken the decision to cancel a number of tickets in the Wolves end for the Championship game on Sunday, May 6.

It comes after the club decided to close the cash turnstiles for the final three games at the Stadium of Light over fears Newcastle fans would try and gain entry, with Sunderland on the verge of relegation to League One.

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A number of Newcastle fans had to be turned away from the ticket office ahead of the Norwich City game last week.

Sunderland boss Chris Coleman spoke about the decision to close cash turnstiles last week, he said safety came first and understood the reasons, adding that those Newcastle fans he has met have been "fantastic" with him.

Coleman speaking last week said: "I totally see the security side of it, I get why and obviously after liaising with the police they have to listen to them, I understand why they would do that because safety has to come first.

"In any walk of life in any industry there is a small percentage unsavoury but that is in any industry.

Sunderland's Stadium of Light.Sunderland's Stadium of Light.
Sunderland's Stadium of Light.
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"All the Newcastle fans I speak to don't want to see us where we are, they want us back up there so they can play us, they want the derby games."

The measures are intended to avoid a repeat of 1987, when hundreds of Newcastle fans turned up to Roker Park to see Sunderland relegated to the old Third Division by Gillingham. That was the first time Sunderland had been demoted to the third tier of English football.

Sunderland are six points adrift of safety with just three games remaining. They play Burton Albion at home on Saturday followed by a trip to Fulham a week Friday and then the Wolves game on Sunday, May 6.

Any Newcastle fans looking to attend either of those games will be turned away. Anyone wanting to buy tickets will need to have a purchase history and must do so from the box office.