Sunderland fans taunted Newcastle with posters showing bleeding pound signs, in a reference to their Saudi takeover, before their FA Cup tie.

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• Sunderland fans mock Newcastle players
• Previously attacked Shearer statue
• One fan confronted Lascelles

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Sunderland's fans prepared for the first Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 by readying printouts of bleeding pound signs, clearly in reference to their bitter rivals' takeover by the Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund. One fan even waved the sign in the face of Magpies defender Jamaal Lascelles before kick-off at the Stadium of Light.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The coordinated mockery took place days after Sunderland fans vandalised the statue of Magpies legend Shearer outside St James' Park, having dressed it in a retro Black Cats shirt. The two sides, of course, have gone eight years without a meeting due to Sunderland's struggles in the lower-leagues.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Sunderland are currently pushing for a return to the Premier League. The Wearside club are sixth in the second tier, and will hope to seal a place in the play-offs.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  After the FA Cup tie, Sunderland will return to action in the Championship against Ipswich Town next weekend. Newcastle face Manchester City in the Premier League, by comparison.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News