The club have advised us that the forthcoming League Cup fixture against Southampton is to be re-scheduled.
Strenuous representations were made to The Football League by Northumbria Police, relating to concerns around public safety in the wider region due to the games’ close proximity to the Wear-Tyne derby and Newcastle United’s fixture being scheduled on the same evening. The Football League, who oversee fixture scheduling for the competition, has therefore requested that Sunderland’s game is moved to the following week.
The fixture will now be played on Wednesday 6th November, kick-off 7:45pm.
Sunderland AFC’s commercial director, Gary Hutchinson, said: “We have agreed to move the game with great reluctance, as we know the impact this could have on supporters and appreciate and thank them for their understanding in this matter.”
The Football League’s Chief Operating Officer, Andy Williamson, added: “It is never ideal for a match to be dated and then moved at relatively short notice. Nonetheless, we have listened to the representations made by the Police on this matter and have agreed that it is in the wider public interest to re-arrange this match. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes for supporters.”
Supporters are advised that any tickets purchased will remain valid for the new date.