A Newcastle United fan was left burned by a flare after troubler on derby day. A disabled fan was left with burns after a flare was thrown from an upper tier of St James’ Park during the derby match. Even before the confrontations after the game, derby day fun had turned sour for 20-year-old fan Carl McVay, who was pelted with a flare by Sunderland fans. Carl was enjoying the match with his dad when he was hit and left with burns to his upper right arm.
Dad George, 52, from North Shields, North Tyneside, said: “He was upset and panicking because of all the smoke and was just beyond himself. “The thing that upset him the most was the fact that we weren’t going to go, because I lost my father this week and he really didn’t want to go “But my old man was an avid Newcastle supporter and we knew that’s really what he would’ve wanted
He added: “We’ve been season ticket-holders for four years and we’ve never had anything like this happen before.” Following the match, many people took to social networks to criticise fans’ behaviour.
London 2012 Olympian Nick McCormick tweeted: “Shameful scenes in Newcastle by local ‘heroes’ – they aren’t supporters.”
While scores took to the Chronicle’s Facebook page to vent their anger.
Becca Brogan, from Wallsend, North Tyneside, said there was “no way” those responsible had any respect for the club. “They ought to be ashamed of themselves,” she said. “They are giving the proper fans a really bad name.”
Susan Pringle added: “No matter how passionate you are about football, it really is just a game. “Nobody killed your family, or hurt you, your team just lost. Deal with it like an adult.”
Kev Turnbull said, while the Black Cats fans were not blameless, the Magpies supporters had gone too far. “Bunch of idiots,” he said. “I was at the match and Sunderland were not totally blameless – they were throwing smokes bombs into the Newcastle fans and chanting “Party when Steven Taylor is dead”, but these so-called Toon fans were a joke. “Not there to support the team, just there to cause trouble.”
Away from yesterday’s derby, police have charged a 24th man following an investigation into a mass street brawl before Sunderland’s 3-0 victory over West Ham United on January 12.
Article from the North East Chronicle