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Derby Travel Row: Fans Slam "Disgrace" Coach Mandate
20 Oct
Summary
- Visiting fans must use organized coaches for derby match.
- Ticket allocation for Sunderland fans reduced to 2,200.
- Fans condemn measures as lacking transparency and consultation.
Visiting Sunderland fans face mandatory organized coach travel for the December 6 Tyne-Wear derby at Newcastle, a decision condemned as an "absolute disgrace" by the Red and White Army (RAWA) supporters' trust. This "bubble trip" policy, requiring fans to use official club buses, has been criticized for its lack of transparency and fan consultation. The policy stems from incidents following the 2013 derby.
Further fueling fan anger is the reduction in ticket allocation for Sunderland supporters to just 2,200. This marks a decrease from previous allocations and follows safety assessments regarding seating arrangements. Such measures have been met with dismay, with Newcastle's own fan group, Wor Flags, calling the ticket reduction "absolutely pathetic."
The imposition of these "draconian measures" comes on the recommendation of Northumbria Police to the Safety Advisory Group. Although a "bubble trip" occurred for an FA Cup tie in 2017, it was not well-received, and Newcastle had previously stated such conditions would not set a precedent for league fixtures.
