Sunderland sorry after stadium bar gets Newcastle decor

Red-faced Sunderland chiefs have apologised for a "serious error in judgement" after a bar at the Stadium of Light was decorated in the colours of arch-rivals Newcastle ahead of Saturday's FA Cup derby.

Fans reacted with fury when images emerged on social media on Thursday of the Black Cats Bar at the Wearside venue with banners proclaiming the messages "Keep the Black and White Flying High" and "We are United", while Sunderland's motto "Ha'way the lads" in red had been replaced with the Geordie spelling "Howay" in black.

However, the Sky Bet Championship club later released a statement announcing an immediate review and confirming the bar, which will serve as a corporate hospitality area for visiting fans, would be returned to its previous livery before the third-round tie.

It said: "Sunderland AFC acknowledges that a serious error in judgement was made in relation to Black Cats Bar earlier this afternoon.

"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."

Tensions were already running high among Black Cats fans after some season ticket holders were moved from their usual seats to accommodate 6,000 travelling Magpies supporters in the stadium's North Stand.

The latest development sparked fresh anger as the club was accused of laying out the welcome mat for their Tyneside counterparts.

Long-standing fanzine A