Sunderland AFC: Kyril Louis-Dreyfus issues update on Newcastle United saga | OneFootball

Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has spoken out after the controversial incident which saw a Stadium of Light bar decorated in Newcastle United colours prior to the Tyne-Wear FA Cup clash on January 6.

The Black Cats Bar was decorated in Newcastle United colours, along with club slogans, as Magpies supporters had been allocated areas in the Stadium of Light usually reserved for Sunderland supporters thanks to an FA Cup ruling whic states away allocations can be up to 15 per cent of the home stadium.

According to Sky Sports News, Newcastle club officials were given access to the area prior to the game to cover up Sunderland branding, as it was feared that it would be vandalised.

However, it was subsequently covered up using Newcastle United branding, leading to understandable anger from Sunderland supporters ahead of the first clash between the bitter rivals for nearly eight years.

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus' update for Sunderland supporters after Black Cats Bar investigation

Despite the game being over two months ago, many Sunderland supporters are still angry about the situation as they felt embarrassed seeing their biggest rivals' colours plastered around their own stadium.

According to The Sunderland Echo, the club met with supporters groups on March 12, and despite owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus not being present, he gave the following update to Sunderland supporters.

"Following the conclusion of an internal investigation requested by the Club’s Board of Directors, we identified that a serious error in judgement was made in relation to the Black Cats Bar," said Louis-Dreyfus.

"We now understand how this error in judgement was made and have identified where accountability sits, confirming that the action taken was inexcusable and more importantly preventable.

"Although employment law prevents us from sharing any information, all staff involved in the matter were interviewed and following the conclusion of a detailed internal enquiry, the appropriate levels of action have now been taken to conclude this process.

"At the last meeting with supporters’ groups, we made a commitment to putting fans at the heart of all that we do.

"That commitment is unwavering, and as supporters, you will soon start to see meaningful change. We understand where we need to improve, and this includes an ongoing requirement to continually develop our people and refine our processes.

"In the coming months, we are excited about bringing that commitment to life and embracing it throughout all levels of our club."

The Black Cats Bar debacle has added to Sunderland's off-field woes

A season that promised so much for Sunderland has badly fizzled out, with some bad decisions by the club's board to blame for that.

The club are currently 12th in the Championship, nine points from the relegation zone, and 13 points from the play-offs.

When Tony Mowbray was sacked by the club in December, they were just three points from the top six, and their decision to sack the man who led them to the play-offs last season was largely an unpopular move with supporters.

The subsequent appointment of Michael Beale was also unpopular, after Sunderland had been linked with the likes of Will Still prior to Beale's appointment.

This, coupled with the Black Cats Bar debacle, has led to a feeling of discontent amongst some of the club's supporters, and Louis-Dreyfus and co have a tough job on their hands to win over supporters after a disappointing couple of months both on and off the pitch.

It is now very important that the next managerial appointment is the right one as the Beale saga could not have gone any worse, with Louis-Dreyfus needing to build up a bit more confidence from fans that feel let down by the whole debacle that occurred at the start of the year involving Newcastle.