Plans to make next month's Tyne-Wear derby a 'bubble' match have been condemned as a “backwards step” by supporters' groups from both clubs. Sunderland AFC and Newcastle United fans have united against the restrictions, which will require away fans to travel only on official club coaches from the Stadium of Light rather than making their own way to St James' Park in December.
The Red and White Army Supporters' Trust (RAWA) and the Newcastle United Supporters' Trust (NUST) have demanded a “clear justification” for the decision, while the Football Supporters' Association said it “ignores a decade of progress in how high-risk fixtures are managed”.
Safety Advisory Group decision
Earlier this week, the groups said serious questions remained after obtaining minutes of the St James' Park Stadium Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meeting, where authorities considered how the derby should be managed. The RAWA believes the “drastic and restrictive measure” has been pushed through “without proper evidence”, stating that the SAG appears to have been shown no detailed rationale or discussion of alternative options.
The Chronicle has seen the full minutes of the SAG meeting, held on October 13, revealing what the police, Newcastle City Council, and others had to say.
Police's key issues
After Sunderland's 2-1 win at St James' in March this year, Northumbria Police said the derby had passed “largely without incident”. However, the force advised the SAG that, despite what it called the “success of the policing operation in March 2026 in preventing more serious disorder”, there was a “substantial” risk to Black Cats fans travelling independently, making a managed coach operation the preferred option.
A number of “key issues” were listed by the police following the March fixture, including the throwing of glass bottles, cans, and pyrotechnics, physical confrontations between rival fans, and “known risk” individuals gathering in Newcastle city centre with the “apparent intention of confronting rival supporters”.
The police argued that public safety risks were highlighted by St James' Park's city centre location, crowds gathering at “known flashpoints”, children and other “non-risk” fans being within the fan groups, and fireworks being used close to mounted police units. The minutes do not show the police putting forward different options to manage the match, and a later summary from the SAG's chair states that “no viable alternative proposals were put forward by partners”.
Backing from other bodies
The SAG is a multi-agency group with representatives from blue light services, local authorities, and transport providers, with a statutory role to issue safety certificates for major events and football matches in the city. Minutes show the police's proposal was backed by the North East Ambulance Service and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, with the former noting a “difficulty experienced in accessing and treating casualties” during March's derby.
Newcastle City Council's representatives described the police recommendation as “the most effective means of reducing risk to supporters, emergency services and partner agencies”. Support was also expressed from the British Transport Police, St John Ambulance, Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus, Stagecoach, and Northern Rail.
Nexus noted that travel arrangements for March's fixture “relied upon additional rail services that could not be guaranteed for future”, while other transport operators noted the added pressure on Newcastle city centre in the run-up to Christmas.
The NUFC and SAFC view
Newcastle United's contribution acknowledged that the bubble restrictions would be “disappointing for many genuine supporters who attend fixtures responsibly and are not involved in disorder”. The club noted it recognised the police's safety concerns and said it would work to comply with any determination made by the SAG.
Sunderland AFC representatives did not attend the meeting due to the club's Europa League commitments that week, with an away fixture against Torreense in Portugal two days later. They provided a statement expressing concern that a “full bubble operation would have a significant impact on supporters, restricting their ability to choose how they travel and causing additional inconvenience to those wishing to attend the fixture”. The Black Cats highlighted the “importance of ensuring that any arrangements are proportionate, while recognising the need to prioritise supporter safety”.
Decision made
While the SAG's chair noted that “the vast majority of supporters attend fixtures responsibly and contribute positively to the matchday atmosphere”, the bubble restrictions were deemed “the only mitigation measure presented that would significantly reduce the risks identified” and that “no viable alternative proposals were put forward”. It was then agreed that a letter would be sent to Newcastle United FC setting out the recommendation that away supporters' admission to St James' should be restricted to ticket holders travelling via managed coach transport.
That letter describes the restrictions as the “most effective and proportionate control measure currently available for this fixture” and states the move “reduces opportunities for confrontation and disorder, minimises impacts on transport infrastructure, and supports the safe and efficient arrival and departure of spectators attending St James' Park for the event”.
It concludes: “The SAG is mindful that our recommendation will be considered by visiting team supporters as an inconvenience. This decision has been made solely in the interests of public safety and the safe management of the event. It is the intention and sincere hope of all partners that as many visiting supporters as possible, up to the usual away ticket allocation, will be able to attend the fixture and play their part in celebrating the passion and tradition of the Tyne Wear Derby in safety and comfort.”
Fans' plan should get 'serious consideration'
The fans' groups said this week that a detailed document had been produced setting out an alternative plan, including enhanced voluntary coach travel, managed rail options, alternative walking routes with larger buffer zones, targeted deployment at known congregation points, and strong fan-led communications. The RAWA said this would provide a “workable, collaborative approach that tackles the risks identified without removing supporter choice”.
North East mayor Kim McGuinness called that proposal a “detailed and responsible alternative”. The Labour mayor told the Chronicle: “Public safety has to come first, and I fully respect that Northumbria Police must make its own assessment of the risks. What happened at the last derby was serious and nobody is dismissing it.
“But fans from both clubs have come together, with the Football Supporters' Association, to put forward a detailed and responsible alternative plan. I think that deserves serious consideration. Supporters also deserve a clear explanation of why less restrictive arrangements are considered insufficient, fans are more likely to accept difficult decisions when they understand the reasoning.
“The overwhelming majority of fans just want to enjoy the game safely, and they've shown they're willing to play their part. I hope we can reach a decision that works for everyone, keeps people safe and sets a positive example for future derbies.”
'Clear and significant risk'
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said on Friday that safety had to be the “overriding priority”. They told the Chronicle: “Our assessment considered incidents during the derby earlier in the year, where missiles were thrown and fireworks discharged into large crowds, including near police horses.
“Although this involved a minority of those in attendance, such behaviour created a clear and significant risk of harm to large numbers of people and was therefore a key public safety consideration in our representations to the SAG. Having considered those representations and the views of partners, the SAG recommended that Sunderland supporters travel to and from the fixture by a managed coach operation.
“We support that recommendation as the most appropriate way of safely facilitating the full away ticket allocation. We recognise that this arrangement will not be the preferred option for every supporter. However, it is our responsibility to identify foreseeable risks and work with the clubs and our partners to put proportionate measures in place which enable all supporters to attend safely.
“We would ask supporters of both clubs to work with us, follow the arrangements that are ultimately put in place and continue to check information issued by their respective clubs ahead of the fixture.”
A Newcastle City Council spokesperson added: “The Safety Advisory Group made the recommendation around coach only travel following a request from Northumbria Police who are clearly the lead agency for the police operation for the Tyne-Wear derby. The recommendation has been made solely in the interests of public safety and all members of the SAG remain committed to ensuring as many visiting supporters can attend and enjoy this historic fixture safely.”
