Sunderland have issued a statement in the wake of complaints about the behaviour of Coventry City fans in Sunday's Championship season-opener at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats say fans of both clubs reported a number of incidents, including the allleged throwing of pyrotechnics, bottles and coins from the area housing away supporters down towards Sunderland supporters seated in the North Stand.
Northumbria Police and West Midlands Police are investigating the complaints in an effort to identify those responsible. And Sunderland are in talks with supporters groups to find preventative measures that will avoid a repeat in future games.
The statement said: 'Sunderland AFC is extremely disappointed by the conduct of a small minority of visiting supporters during the club's fixture against Coventry City. Several incidents have been reported by fans of both clubs following Sunday's match, with objects including pyrotechnics, bottles and coins allegedly thrown towards home supporters located in the North Stand.
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'Investigations by Northumbria Police and West Midlands Police are ongoing to identify the persons responsible and SAFC is currently in dialogue with supporters' groups to ensure appropriate preventative measures are put in place. The club sincerely apologises to any supporters – home or away – impacted by this completely unacceptable behaviour and assures them that it will not be tolerated at the Stadium of Light.'
Sunderland's return to the Championship was watched by a crowd of 40,851 - the highest of the EFL's opening weekend - which included around 2,00 Coventry fans.
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