Sunderland owner left ‘disgusted and hurt’ by unforgivable move last time Newcastle visited

Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus was left ‘disgusted and hurt’ by an unforgivable move the last time they played Newcastle at home.

The Black Cats hosted the Magpies in the FA Cup in January 2024 for the first Tyne-Wear Derby in eight years.

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Newcastle ran out 3-0 winners in the clash at the Stadium of Light courtesy of a Dan Ballard own goal and an Alexander Isak brace.

To compound matters, the club was forced to apologise to supporters after a bar at the stadium was decked out in Newcastle colours.

“Sunderland AFC acknowledges that a serious error in judgement was made in relation to Black Cats Bar earlier this afternoon,” the club wrote in a statement.

“We apologise to our fans for the understandable concern they have fairly voiced in response and this sentiment is shared by the Club’s Ownership Group and Board of Directors, who have requested an immediate review is undertaken to determine how this process unfolded.

“A direct decision has also been taken by the Ownership Group and Board of Directors to return the space to its original state and we once again apologise to our supporters that this was not addressed sooner.”

And Louis-Dreyfus expressed his ‘disgust’ at the mishap and to make the ‘necessary changes required’ to correct the significant oversight.

“I would like to apologise to everyone associated with Sunderland AFC for the events that have unfolded today,” Louis-Dreyfus commented on Instagram.

“Like our supporters, I was disgusted and hurt by the pictures circulating online of the inappropriate signs that have now been ripped down.

“I take full responsibility for every decision that is taken by the employees of our Club and you have my word that I will personally make sure that we make the necessary changes required to improve because it is clear there are many areas where we need to be better.

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“I have got to know many of you personally over the past three years and I have always tried to act for the good of the people our Club represents, which makes today even more disappointing.

“I regret to have let you down, the greatest fans in the world. But I thank you for the trust you have shown in me, to lead your club, since the first day I arrived.

“I hope that in the months and years to come, I will be able to repay it to you – now my full focus is behind the team for our upcoming derby.”

Sunderland supporters club Red & White Army vented their fury online, posting: “Whoever it is at SAFC that thinks rebranding the BCB for NUFC fans should hang their heads in shame.

“How can they be so out of touch with their own supporters? Take them down now!

“We won’t give up trying to engage with SAFC but it’s proving harder to stomach with moves like this.”

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Sunderland will hope for a much-improved showing in the first Premier League Tyne-Wear at the Stadium of Light since 2015.

Adam Johnson, Billy Jones and Steven Fletcher were all on the scoresheet 10 years’ ago as the Black Cats claimed a 3-0 win over Newcastle.

Sunderland have made an impressive start to the season and head into the weekend’s action in ninth place.

However, head coach Regis Le Bris has overseen just one win in the last six league outings following their 3-0 loss at Manchester City last weekend.