Sunderland trivialized the Tyne-Wear derby clash to an unprecedented level on Sunday, refusing to show Newcastle’s name on the Stadium of Light scoreboard during their 1-0 win.
The Black Cats secured bragging rights on the pitch thanks to Nick Woltemade’s bizarre own goal, but it was the club’s antics off the pitch that caused a frenzy on social media.
In a move that was widely celebrated among the home fans, Sunderland broke Premier League rules and inflicted a calculated insult on arch-rivals Newcastle.
Sunderland refuse to put Newcastle’s name on stadium scoreboard
Fans in the stadium and the home audience quickly noticed the intentional omission.
All other away teams at the Stadium of Light this season have been given the courtesy of displaying their official club name, but Newcastle have been reduced to one generic word: ‘visitors’.
The digital scoreboard read ‘Sunderland 1 – 0 visitors’ during the match.
This decision was no accident. Reports have confirmed that previous opponents had their names and coats of arms fully visible, making this a special authorized bargain for the Magpies.
This created a hostile atmosphere and in the end Regis Le Bris’s side edged out Eddie Howe’s side to take the all-important three points.
Sunderland get their long-awaited revenge
This small gesture at the top level was widely interpreted as a long-awaited revenge for the disastrous FA Cup defeat in January 2024.
On that occasion, Sunderland’s owners faced a revolt after allowing the ‘Black Cats Bar’ to be refurbished with Newcastle slogans to welcome corporate guests.
Sunday was the payback. Not only did they erase Newcastle’s identity from the screen, but Sunderland’s team also twisted the knife after the final whistle.
To reenact the infamous team photo session organized by Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall on the Stadium of Light turf two years ago, Sunderland players and staff gathered in front of the South Stand, reenacting the exact poses and mocking their neighbors in the most direct way possible.
