The SAG wanted 2.5k then agreed to a bubble trip of 6k (funny its paid for by the mags)Direct from SAFC. ...
The following is why, as far as I've been told
1) EFL - away clubs are entitled to claim up to a maximum of 10% of stadium capacity or 2k whichever is the lower. The home club can of course offer more. In view of the missiles being thrown in recent seasons the SAG have put a restriction of 2.2k on away fans as part of their safety certificate being issued.
Sunderland r on a final warning and further missiles being thrown could result in Sunderland having their safety certificate withdrawn and having to play home games behind closed doors.
FA Cup - away teams are entitled to claim up to 15 % of stadium capacity with a maximum of 9k. It appears for the FA Cup game that the SAG would allow 6k, however, they would not remove the 2.2k condition on the upper tier (probably allowed the front 6 rows to be used as any Newcastle fans throwing missiles would be throwing them down on to their own fans) and therefore it was up to Sunderland to locate them accordingly to accommodate 6k.
The whole issue has been that Sunderland have not dealt with the problems over recent seasons by either installing a net or moving the away section to the lower bowl.
The same fans would be kicking off if the agreement was 2.5k and we got a replay.
We have accommodated their request and then given up the bcb and allowed a guest mag speaker on.
Name another club that accommodating to their biggest rivals?
