Posted on 8th February 2010
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
Twelve Sunderland fans were today given conditional bail following an incident that took place at Newcastle’s Central Station on Saturday, August 8th, 2009. The dozen men, all charged with violent disorder, will reappear before Sunderland Magistrates on Monday, April 12th, while eight more Sunderland fans will face their first court appearance this Wednesday.
Defence solicitors acting for the Sunderland supporters had expected the cases to be referred to Newcastle Crown Court. Instead the case was adjourned to reappear before Sunderland Magistrates in two months.
Peter Daykin, spokesman for the Football Supporters’ Federation, said: “The events at Central Station took place six months ago to the day and fans have still not had the opportunity to defend themselves in court.
“Since it took Northumbria Police and the Crown Prosecution Service so long to charge everyone in the first place you would have hoped they’d at least have their paperwork ready but it appears not. This means yet another delay for the people involved and all the stress that comes with that.
“The sooner supporters have their day in court and the opportunity to tell their side of the story the better.”
A further 15 men, believed to be Newcastle United supporters, will appear before Newcastle Magistrates on Wednesday, February 17th charged with conspiracy to commit violent disorder.
If you know fans from either club who have been charged in relation to this incident please let us know and we can put them in touch with a solicitor.
Call 08702 777777 or email the FSF here.
Similarly if you were an eye-witness to the events at Central Station on Saturday August 8th please contact the FSF and we can put you in touch with fans’ solicitors.
Your evidence could make all the difference.
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Yesterday the Government’s Fan-led Review of football governance was told by representatives from the Fans for Diversity campaign about the need to embed ‘equality, diversity and inclusion’ (EDI) into future reforms of the game.
Sports minister Stuart Andrew has acknowledged the case for football reform “is not in doubt” in a Parliamentary debate on the financial sustainability of football clubs.
