NUST demands urgent review of Sunderland derby restrictions and calls for answers
Newcastle United Supporters Trust has called for an urgent review of December's Tyne-Wear derby travel restrictions, demanding evidence to justify compulsory coach travel for Sunderland fans.
Visiting supporters will have to travel to and from Wearside on official club coaches for the game at St James' Park on Sunday, December 6, which now kicks off at 2pm.
Who made the derby travel decision?
Newcastle's announcement says the requirement follows a recommendation from the stadium's independent Safety Advisory Group (SAG), chaired by Newcastle City Council, acting on advice from Northumbria Police.
Both clubs were invited to a SAG meeting to hear the police submissions, while senior Newcastle staff subsequently met officers to understand the reasoning. The club describes the restrictions as an extra safety measure for supporters, staff and the wider public.
NUST also makes clear its understanding that Newcastle United did not make the decision. Its challenge is directed at SAG, the council and police.
NUST's full statement
In its statement issued on Tuesday, the trust calls for the supporting risk assessment to be published, an explanation for rejecting less restrictive alternatives and an urgent review. It also challenges the lack of meaningful consultation with supporter groups.
The full three-page statement is below:
Statement: Newcastle United Supporters Trust, 20 October 2026.
NUST points to the police's description of March's derby operation as having passed largely without incident.
For Newcastle fans looking ahead to the away derby, the club says December's recommendation does not determine arrangements for May's return at the Stadium of Light. Those will be considered separately by the local SAG.
Supporters (yes, even Sunderland ones) deserve a clear explanation of what has changed since March and why less restrictive arrangements are no longer considered sufficient.
